My Story.

01

Where I Started

I’m Samar Shimila, a Computer Science student at San Francisco State University. My journey into technology has not been a straight path. It has been shaped by moving between countries, learning how to navigate unfamiliar environments, becoming a first-generation college student, and finding my place in a field where women like me are still underrepresented. Each experience has challenged me in a different way, but together they have taught me how to adapt, keep learning, and create opportunities when they are not always easy to find.

02

Finding My Way

I grew up between cultures and eventually moved to the United States, where I had to learn how to navigate a new environment while figuring out what I wanted for my future. As a first-generation college student, there was no family roadmap for applying to college, choosing a major, finding internships, or building a career in technology. A lot of what I know now came from asking questions, making mistakes, finding mentors, and learning how to advocate for myself.

College became more than earning a degree. It became a place where I learned to trust myself. There were moments when I questioned whether I belonged, especially while entering spaces where I did not always see many people who looked like me. Instead of letting that feeling define me, I started looking for ways to build my own confidence and create spaces where others could feel like they belonged too.

03

Challenges & Growth

Choosing Computer Science challenged me to grow in ways I did not expect. Technology is constantly changing, and being a student in STEM means being comfortable with not knowing everything. I have learned that asking questions is not a weakness and that struggling with something does not mean I am not capable of learning it.

My experiences in technology have also shown me that I don't want to only write code. I enjoy understanding the problem behind the technology, analyzing information, thinking about the people who will use it, and figuring out how an idea can become something useful. That is what drew me toward data analysis, web development, product development, and the intersection between technology and business.

04

Beyond the Classroom

My internships, projects, and campus involvement have helped me discover what I enjoy, but some of my most meaningful experiences have happened outside the classroom. As a golf coach, I have worked with underserved youth and introduced students to a sport they may not otherwise have had access to. As a founder of an HTML club, I created a space for students to learn web development together. Through organizations like NSBE, WISE, and the African Student Association, I have found community while also learning how to contribute to the communities around me.

These experiences have changed how I think about success. For me, success is not only about what I accomplish individually. It is also about what I can make easier for the person coming after me.

05

Where I'm Going

I am still figuring out exactly where my career will take me, and I am okay with that. I know that I want to work in technology in a way that combines technical skills, creativity, data, and problem-solving. Whether that leads me toward development, data, product management, or another area of technology, I want my work to be meaningful and useful.

I also want to continue growing as a mentor and someone who creates opportunities for others. I know what it feels like to enter a new environment without knowing exactly where you fit. Because of that, I want to help make those environments easier to navigate for others, especially students who are still trying to see themselves in spaces they have not always felt represented in.

My story is still being written. I’m proud of how far I have come, but I’m even more interested in what comes next. Every class, project, internship, leadership role, and challenge has added another piece to the person I am becoming. I’m not just building a career in technology; I’m building a path that reflects where I came from, what I’ve learned, and the kind of opportunities I hope to create for others.