Q&A with WICS Co-Presidents Mae King and Mikayla McGrath

For International Girls in STEM Day, Mae King and Mikayla McGrath, UC Irvine Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) students and Women in Information and Computer Sciences (WICS) co-presidents, share their insights. WICS is a student organization established to encourage women to pursue a college degree and successful career in the computer science field.

Mae King, WICS co-president and third-year computer science major

What advice do you have for girls who might be interested in STEM?
I think that the paths people take rarely follow the neat narrative that we plan out. Success in STEM isn’t a checklist of internships, research or jobs. Success is undefined, non-linear, and truly looks different for every person. Taking an unconventional path can be a wonderful thing, especially when focusing on the contributions we want to make rather than climbing a corporate/academic ladder. That intentionality and humanity is what makes STEM a worthwhile pursuit to me.

What has your experience at ICS been like? 
ICS is challenging, diverse and has some wonderful communities that have kept me going through my degree! At times, I feel like I’m losing my way amidst the technicalities of computer science. My coursework sometimes feels removed from the social issues that I care about. But coursework is just a small part of ICS. At its core, ICS is a collection of people working towards social change, technology advancement and finding the balances between the two. Being part of clubs like WICS and ICS Student Council (ICSSC) that create this community of personal and career growth helps me feel grounded and supported. The people in ICS who are striving for changes and working through the challenges of growing up have consistently fed my motivation and inspiration for STEM.

But coursework is just a small part of ICS. At its core, ICS is a collection of people working towards social change, technology advancement and finding the balances between the two.

Mikayla McGrath, WICS Co-President, third-year informatics major and information and computer science minor

What made you decide to study STEM?
Growing up, I watched technology change year after year, and STEM classes always pulled me in because of the creativity and challenge they offered. When it came time to choose what to study, studying STEM felt like the right fit because I knew the skills I would learn would stay relevant as the world changes and opens the door to making a meaningful impact.

Why did you choose your major?
In high school, I really enjoyed my computer science classes and was introduced to Informatics as a blend of computer science, design, and the human side of technology. The idea of studying how people interact with technology through areas like UI/UX and software design genuinely excited me, and that led me to apply to Informatics programs. At UC Irvine, I’ve learned from incredibly talented professors who study real-world problems, which has made the major feel practical and meaningful. I also found a lot of value in the CS classes I took my first year, so I added an information and computer science minor to deepen my technical knowledge and experience and complement my informatics degree.

What advice do you have for girls who might be interested in STEM?
Through my conversations with professionals in STEM, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that very few careers follow a straight line. It is okay to try things out, change directions, and take time to figure out what you enjoy. Everyone starts somewhere, and the people you look up to often seem further ahead simply because they have had more time and experience. Do not let comparison stop you from going after something that genuinely interests you!

My experience in ICS at UC Irvine has been really great! I’ve found a strong sense of community through Women in Information and Computer Sciences, built relationships with supportive professors, and discovered many opportunities to get involved beyond the classes I take.

What has your experience at ICS been like?
My experience in ICS at UC Irvine has been really great! I’ve found a strong sense of community through Women in Information and Computer Sciences, built relationships with supportive professors, and discovered many opportunities to get involved beyond the classes I take. While it has definitely been challenging at times, those challenges have helped me grow and shown me how important perseverance is in this field.

Who or what inspires you?
The people I surround myself with inspire me the most! My friends, classmates and family are so motivated and passionate about what they do, and being around them constantly pushes me to grow. I truly believe that you become a product of the people you spend time with, and the community I surround myself with is always motivating me to keep aiming higher.

Is there a quote or saying that helps motivate you?
“Do it scared.” This phrase reminds me that I do not need to feel 100% confident or fully ready to take the next step. When I feel overwhelmed or experience imposter syndrome, it encourages me to keep going and try anyway. On days when fear makes me want to put things off, this mindset helps me remember that trying is always better than doing nothing at all!

– Tonya Becerra