Zachary Zega
About
Disadvantaged, underrepresented, uneducated, poor, tired, and unequivocally depressed are only a few of the adjectives describing the families I had the opportunity to serve this summer. Each day at work, I watched poor families struggle to function even after receiving free meals and free access to a summer camp. I truly thought I could help solve some problems facing these families, so I decided my time, effort, and expertise belonged at an up-and-coming non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in Central New Jersey, aiming to educate low-income children in STEM topics.
By using different kinds of statistical analyses and statistical computer programming languages like R, I was able to lead the organization’s efforts in collecting and analyzing data about its impact on the community. With this data, I was able to increase company revenue by providing vital data to grant writers who were applying to numerous sponsorships and grants. For the first time ever, I felt like I was applying my practical skills to something real.
In the past, I taught kids marine science at a summer camp, and I had my first experience of what it was like, to influence someone’s opinion about the environment. Now, I hope to use my technical skills in data science to work for a cause I care deeply about. More importantly, I realized when we bring people together through an organization and fight for a cause, no one is disadvantaged, underrepresented, uneducated, poor, tired, or unequivocally depressed. Now that the experience is over, I hope I can continue to help give people a voice through my work.