For Samantha Ho, the path to graduation wasn’t always clear, but curiosity helped guide her to where she was meant to be.
A Knoxville native, Ho chose to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for a simple reason: it felt like home.
“I was born and raised in Knoxville and honestly chose UT because it’s close to where I live,” Ho said with a laugh.
While staying close to home was an easy decision, finding the right academic path took more exploration. Ho originally began her college career as a marketing major but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit.
“I was previously an unhappy marketing major who knew that I needed to choose a different study,” she said. “I turned to Reddit and TikTok to find a new major.”
During that search, she discovered information sciences and was intrigued by the field. After researching the major and learning that UT offered a program through the School of Information Sciences, she decided to make the switch.
“What initially drew me to the information sciences program was pure curiosity,” Ho said. “I came across people talking about information sciences as a major and did some searching to learn what it was—and here I am now.”
That curiosity quickly turned into hands-on experience both inside and outside the classroom.
During the summer of 2025, Ho interned with MetLife at its investment management office in New Jersey, where she worked extensively with Microsoft’s Power Platform tools, including Microsoft Power Apps, Microsoft Power Automate, and Microsoft Power BI. She developed applications designed to improve productivity and efficiency for her team while gaining valuable communication and technical skills.
Ho said. “I learned a lot about communicating effectively through the final presentation and talking with my team, and I learned how to proactively teach myself new tools.”
This semester, Ho has continued building those technical skills through another internship closer to home at UT’s McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, where she served as a finance and administration intern. In that role, she has focused on automating reports and creating dashboards through Power BI while learning more about museum operations.
“Throughout my time here, I’ve gotten to really sharpen my Power BI skills and learn a lot more about museum operations,” she said.
Beyond internships, Ho said her role as a student worker within the School of Information Sciences opened doors to experiences she may not have otherwise had.
“My time as a student worker with SIS has provided me with different opportunities that I don’t think I would have had if I wasn’t working there,” she said. “I have gotten the opportunity to speak at different panels and to network with alumni.”
She has also been involved with the school’s Information Sciences Club and appreciates seeing the opportunities the organization creates for students.
While much of Ho’s growth has happened through professional experiences, she also credits memorable classroom experiences with shaping her college journey.
As she prepares to graduate, Ho believes one of the most valuable things she gained from SIS goes beyond technical expertise.
“Along with the technical skills I’ve gotten from being with SIS, I think my knowledge on how to teach myself new skills and actively seek resources to learn from will be the most valuable in my career,” she said.
While she is still finalizing details for a job opportunity, Ho hopes to quickly begin her professional career after taking a well-earned break.
Ho encourages current and future students to fully embrace the resources available to them at UT.
“Take advantage of all the resources and opportunities SIS and UT provide,” she said. “You paid for them in your tuition, and they do help a lot.”
Ho also made sure to recognize someone who made a lasting impact on her experience: Professor Peiling Wang.
“Shout out to Dr. Wang at SIS, who is such a joy to chat with and is so open to help with anything,” she said.
As she reflects on her time at UT, Ho is most grateful for the experiences that helped shape her future and the people who made the journey meaningful.
“I’m grateful for my time here and the many opportunities I have been provided and the people I’ve met,” she said.
What started as a search for a better fit ultimately led Ho to a field where curiosity became her greatest strength—and one that will continue to guide her long after graduation.