Alumni Spotlight: Jose Oronia
Meet Jose Oronia, a Moses Lake High School and Whitworth University graduate with a passion for technology. Jose navigated the challenges of higher education as a first-generation college student and now works as a software development engineer II at Expeditors. Read on to learn more about Jose, and if you have any questions about his field or are looking for insight, reach out to him via LinkedIn!
What inspired you to pursue your field of study or career path? What tips would you share with students who are interested in pursuing a career in your field?
Growing up, I had an interest in technology, leading me to do my senior project shadowing local IT professionals in my town. When I arrived at Whitworth, I was indecisive between computer science (CS) and business. I reached out to my advisor/professor, Pete, who asked me to take an intro to computer science class, and from then on, I found excitement in CS!
If you are unsure about what major you want to pursue, don’t be afraid to reach out to the departments you are interested in. They can connect you with the right resources or professors so you can learn more about the classes and possible jobs you can get after earning your degree. Find out what most recent alumni are doing to get an idea of what jobs are possible with your degree, and even after graduate school placements. Reach out to alumni to learn about the industry and make connections for future job recommendations/referrals.
Were there any specific courses or experiences during your college years that were particularly impactful? What role did internships or part-time jobs play in your career development?
Having recently graduated with my MBA, the two classes that were impactful to me were marketing strategy and my finance classes: Marketing because I learned how important it is for companies to have a strong brand proposition, which I related to myself, and finance because I learned the importance of the time value of money. Landing an internship at T-Mobile after graduating from Whitworth was a big part of the start of my career! I learned so much as an intern that I got an offer to work full-time for the company as an associate software engineer.
What advice would you give to current college students? Anything you wish you knew then that you know now?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and don’t fear failing. The worst fear is fear itself.
What were some challenges you faced after graduation? How did you overcome them?
Being a first-generation college student already had its challenges, but navigating the corporate world was so much harder. I give credit to some of the mentors I have had along the way and to Success Cohorts for an amazing program that gave me the skills to navigate it.
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not working? How do you ensure you have a good work-life balance?
When I am not at work, find me running, playing soccer, reading and at the gym. I try to set boundaries, and I turn off my work laptop at a specific time so I don’t overwork myself.