Senior Spotlight: Ella Chung Makes the Leap from Cells to Bytes

When Ella Chung first came to UC Irvine as a biological sciences student, she never imagined that she would one day call herself a software engineer. Although she intended to pursue a career in healthcare, she enrolled in an introductory programming class on a whim. Now a fourth-year student in UC Irvine’s Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences and Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS), Chung has turned her unexpected interest in coding into a journey of mentorship and community-building to help others find their place at UC Irvine.

“I recognized that what truly excited me was the creative problem-solving I experienced in my coding classes, organic chemistry labs and other coursework. I liked how accessible technology was and felt fulfilled through the potential to build, innovate and create a larger impact on the world,” says Chung, who is graduating this spring with degrees in biological sciences and computer science.

Exploring computer science as a biological sciences major who had only taken ICS 31: Introduction to Programming wasn’t easy at first. But with the help of ICS student organizations such as Women in Information and Computer Sciences (WICS), she found “a supportive and safe environment that meant everything to me in my journey breaking into the field.”

“My favorite memory of WICS was going to the Grace Hopper Conference (GHC) and exploring Orlando on the last day, after the convention ended, with my friends,” says Chung. “Not only did I get closer to my peers in WICS through this trip, but I also learned so much about different industries and how they use technology to drive innovation.”

Sponsored by the ICS Office of Outreach, Access & Inclusion, Chung’s attendance at GHC 2023, the largest gathering of women in computing, was a pivotal moment in shaping her ambitions.

“The most impactful part of GHC was hearing from diverse voices in tech, especially those addressing systemic biases in AI and exploring the many ways technology is applied across fields. I was particularly drawn to the intersection of technology and healthcare, and had the opportunity to speak with companies like GoodRx, Moderna, Google DeepMind and Eli Lilly,” says Chung. “As someone still exploring my career path, I found it incredibly valuable to ask people why they love what they do and where they see the future of tech.”

Inspired by these insights from GHC, Chung returned to UC Irvine more committed than ever to giving back to the ICS community that had supported her own journey.

Chung is now the WICS marketing chair. In this role, she oversees WICS’ marketing efforts and particularly enjoys developing the organization’s social media strategy. She also participates in the WICS’ mentorship program, mentoring students from non-traditional backgrounds one-on-one so that they can find their community in ICS.

Her passion for empowering students extends beyond WICS. She is also a Notion campus leader and hosts workshops to teach students how to use Notion, a productivity tool. She has reached a wide range of students from all backgrounds through her sessions with WICS, the UC Irvine Peer Academic Advising Program, Break Through Tech and Design @ UCI.

“Notion has improved my productivity as a student and helped me stay intentional with my time… One of the most fulfilling part`s of being a campus leader is discovering creative use cases and building templates that make people’s lives easier. I know Notion can come with a steep learning curve, so it’s especially rewarding to help others overcome that barrier and feel confident using the tool in a way that supports them,” she says.

These extracurricular and mentorship roles helped Chung build the confidence and skills that eventually took her back to Chipotle, where she worked as a crew member in high school. This past summer, she completed a software engineering internship at Chipotle. Chung will return to her role at Chipotle full-time after graduating.

“I was especially drawn to Chipotle’s Cultivate Next venture fund, which supports startups bringing innovation into kitchen operations. I was excited to see a large company investing in bold ideas and uplifting businesses that share its values,” says Chung. “This internship was truly a full-circle moment for me, reconnecting with a company I’ve long admired, now through the lens of technology and innovation.”

Amid her academic, extracurricular and professional commitments, Chung still makes time to nurture her creative side, from nail art and fashion to painting and graphic design. On weekends, she enjoys cafe hopping with her friends in Orange County, keeping a shared Notion page to record their favorite spots.

With graduation on the horizon, Chung reflects on the challenges she experienced as a first-generation college student breaking into the tech industry. Throughout college, she often grappled with imposter syndrome, a nagging voice in her head that made her doubt herself and her accomplishments. What has helped her most is networking with industry professionals and participating in programs that support underrepresented students, such as WICS and Break Through Tech.

“The truth is, you don’t need to know everything to be successful, you just need the confidence and faith in yourself that you are capable of learning. You don’t need to have every skill listed in a job description or the perfect project in your portfolio to take a chance. If you are passionate and willing to learn, you belong. You deserve every opportunity you’ve earned,” she says.

Chung is especially proud of the risks she took early on. Stepping out of her comfort zone to chase new experiences and pursue her curiosities was key to her successes.

“If I hadn’t taken that leap of faith to try coding during my first year, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” says Chung. “My advice is to do the things you’re curious about, especially while you’re in college. You’ll never again be in an environment so rich with opportunity and surrounded by people who are all learning and growing with you. There’s a community for almost everything, and it’s a safe space to try, fail and figure out what excites you.”

— Karen Phan