Reflection: How My Curiosity of Taking Things Apart Led to a Career at Verizon

Engineering has shaped the way I approach challenges, think critically, and navigate every aspect of my life. And what better time to reflect on that than during National Engineers Week?

As a kid, I was always taking things apart—sometimes successfully putting them back together, sometimes not. It didn’t take long to realize that breaking things wasn’t always sustainable, and not everything could be fixed. But that curiosity led me to computer science through the Academy of Information Technology (AOIT), a NAF academy. Suddenly, I had a virtual world where I could create, experiment, and, yes, even break things—without real-world consequences. Coding became an obsession, like solving an endless series of brain teasers, each more fascinating than the last.

During my time in the AOIT at Apex High School in North Carolina, I had the opportunity to intern at Verizon, marking the start of my career. At the time, I was simply excited to put my new skills to the test. Looking back, that experience laid the foundation for everything I’ve done since. I gained professional networking opportunities, real-world corporate experience, and even had the chance to present to the VP of Verizon’s Network organization—an experience that pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. 

Beyond technical skills, AOIT’s project-based learning environment helped me develop strong soft skills, particularly in public speaking and presentations. The most defining moment was my senior project, where I had to present in front of 100 people—a challenge that pushed me far beyond my comfort zone but ultimately prepared me for real-world communication.

After high school, I attended North Carolina State University, where I studied Computer Science—go Wolfpack! Wanting to give back and apply my engineering skills, I joined Engineers Without Borders (EWB). I started with the North Carolina team, focusing on local initiatives before transitioning to international work. Our team built a hydroponics system for the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, a local food pantry. Instead of moving to an international team as I had originally planned, I took on a larger leadership role, becoming president of the NC State chapter. In this role, I oversaw four teams—two in Sierra Leone, one in Guatemala, and one in North Carolina. This experience sparked my love for leadership, as I saw firsthand how my actions could have a greater impact.

Outside of EWB, I was involved in two research projects that deepened my understanding of computer science and completed three additional internships at Verizon. I rotated across three different teams in North Carolina and Texas, gaining exposure to a variety of projects. Verizon’s diverse work environment kept me engaged as I learned about e911 calls, call routing, and data reporting at scale. This exposure solidified my decision to join Verizon full-time.

I started my full-time journey on the notifications team in New Jersey, where I quickly realized the difference between being an intern and being a full-time employee. I was now responsible for ensuring that Verizon’s customers received their time-critical notifications—an essential role that came with real accountability.

But I wanted to do more than just maintain the system—I wanted to improve it. That’s when I proposed bringing Live Activities to Verizon, a dynamic push notification that enables users to follow a timeline of events. After launching this feature, I received the Spotlight Award for Innovation, recognizing this achievement. Yet, I wasn’t done. With my team, we developed a project that is currently under review at the U.S. Patent Office. Unfortunately, it’s confidential, so I can’t share the details here—but it’s an exciting milestone in my career.

Throughout my time at Verizon, I remained connected with NAF. I met with multiple cohorts of NAF students, sharing my journey and everything I’ve learned along the way. I wanted to be someone they could reach out to—not just as a mentor in the traditional sense, like a teacher or boss, but as someone who had been in their shoes.

One of the most rewarding moments of my career so far was participating in a panel discussion with NAF CEO, Lisa Dughi and Verizon’s VP of Talent, Spring Lacy. Getting to share my experiences and give back to a program that shaped my own path was truly special.

As I celebrate National Engineers Week, I’m reminded of how engineering—and the early experiences that shaped my path—continue to influence the way I think, solve problems, and engage with the world around me.