Name: Ginger Schwarz
Hometown: Mequon, WI
Year: Senior
Major: Computer Science
Her Campus American: How did you decide you wanted to attend AU for college?
Ginger Schwarz: It’s a funny story actually. I came to AU during my junior year of high school for the National Student Leadership Conference. I was nominated by my school to go so I attended a conference about National Security and Intelligence. After that trip, I fell in love with D.C and knew that I wanted to go to college here. So when the time came, I applied to every school in D.C, and American just happened to be the one that I got accepted to. I knew I wanted to work in the Intelligence sector, so I came to AU to pursue my undergrad in SIS and study Arabic. After one semester though, I just honestly couldn’t see myself making a career out of International Studies (sorry to all the SIS kids out there) and ended up switching to Computer Science and have been loving it ever since.
HCAU: What’s your favorite Disney movie?
GS: My favorite Disney movie is Aladdin! I also loved the remake!
HCAU: Who was the first person at AU that made you feel like you belonged?
GS: The first person to make me feel like I belonged at AU was my freshman year RA Conor. He was the best. He made sure to always chat with me in the hallway and the lounge, and he made me feel like I could do whatever I set my mind to. He always checked in with each of his residents to make sure we were handling the transition to college life in a healthy and safe way. We bonded over the fact that we were both choir singers, and he was ultimately the one who encouraged me to try out for AU Chorus.
HCAU: What’s your role in AU Club Lacrosse?
GS: I have been President of the Women’s Club Lacrosse team for the past three years. I restarted the team after a 5-year hiatus since its original creation. As President, I have to schedule games, tournaments, lifts and practices. Every semester, I have to coordinate with other schools and the Club Sports department for games, and I coordinate with our trainer about what type of workouts will best suit our team. During practices, I essentially act as a coach because I come up with all our drills and plays and then assemble the team accordingly.
HCAU: What’s your favorite thing about the lacrosse team
GS: My favorite thing about the lacrosse team is my teammates. There is never a practice where I am not laughing or having a good time. They make it all worth it! We’d always go to the Men’s Basketball games after lift and I can’t wait to start doing that again!
HCUA: What’s your dream job?
GS: My dream job is to be the CEO of my own cybersecurity firm and a cybersecurity contractor for the government. I would also be happy working as an analyst for an Intelligence agency like the FBI.
HCAU: What are you most looking forward to this semester?
GS: I am most looking forward to graduating! I truly can’t believe that my undergraduate career is almost done, but I am excited to start Graduate School and get my Master’s in Cybersecurity!
HCAU: Tell us about the app you’re making!
GS: As a part of my Capstone project this semester, I am developing an app for AU called AUCares. It is a health and wellness app where students will be able to track their physical and mental health as well as encourage certain behavior changes through a variety of challenges and games. The overall purpose is to help support students in their transition to college and adult life.
HCAU: If you could give your freshman self one piece of advice what would it be?
GS: If I could give my freshman year self one piece of advice it would be to not be afraid of change and that learning to be alone will only make you stronger and will help you discover who you’re meant to be.
HCAU: Where can we keep up with you and Club Lacrosse?
GS: You can keep up with Club Lacrosse through our Instagram @auwomensclublax, and if you want to keep up with me, my Instagram is @ginger_schwarz.