Graduating senior and information sciences major Jenna Muetterties’ interest in web design and information technology began at a young age.
“I remember always auditing different websites and seeing how they could be improved. I came to UT and discovered they had a UX design concentration, which was perfect for my skills and interests,” she stated.
She had the opportunity to tour UT’s campus while still in high school, and immediately knew it was where she wanted to spend her college years.
“I fell in love with the campus and the community at UT,” she said. “I loved the downtown area as well as the nearby mountains and river. It truly felt like a home away from home.”
Muetterties started her freshman year studying a different major but switched to information sciences and UX design when she realized it was the perfect combination of information technology (IT) and design.
When she first started at UT, Muetterties found the adjustment to the college workload to be challenging. However, she persevered and developed effective strategies to manage her time better. Getting involved on campus and enjoying university life significantly helped her balance her social and academic responsibilities.
“Attending school events for sports or student organizations had a major impact on me. It allowed me to meet new people and try new things, which also helped me step out of my comfort zone,” she explained.
Muetterties participated in several intramural sports teams, including flag football, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, soccer, and dodgeball. She worked part-time as an IT student assistant at the Scripps Convergence Lab within the College of Communication and Information, and she is currently interning as an information services intern for the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Department. Additionally, she attends church services at The Walk at Sevier Heights on Sundays.
She credits the faculty and staff at CCI for playing an instrumental role in her growth throughout her time in the program.
“They were supportive and provided valuable advice and opportunities to engage with my community,” she said.
She takes pride in her accomplishments over the past four years and has challenged herself to succeed academically and personally.
“I have spent countless hours studying in the library, writing papers, and working on assignments to reach this point, and I am very proud of myself for completing college,” Muetterties remarked.
After graduation, she plans to take a few months off to travel before beginning her career in Knoxville.
“My advice for incoming students is to find something that genuinely interests you and think about how you can apply it to this program. When you are passionate about your major, you’ll be more successful,” she shared.
