Graduating college is often painted as a moment of clarity–the moment when students know what comes next. For University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) senior, Aitiana Mondragon, the future feels exciting, uncertain and still a work in progress.
While some graduates are leaving El Paso with job offers in hand, Mondragon is leaving with something less absolute; her master’s applications, a suitcase, and the understanding that uncertainty is part of the process. Her story reflects what many graduating students are also realizing;post-grad life is about moving forward even while the plan is still forming.
Mondragon, a computer science major, plans to move to New Jersey in fall 2026 to pursue a master’s in software engineering or cybersecurity at the Stevens Institute of Technology. Mondragon said she was initially hesitant to pursue STEM until a teacher at her high school encouraged her to consider it, an experience that now motivates her to want to mentor others.
“I didn’t see myself good at math or science or anything of that sort. But I had a teacher back in high school who opened the door for me. I want to be able to do that for other little girls who didn’t know and offer them that insight,” Mondragon said.
Mondragon may not be leaving with a job offer, but she is graduating with direction and an acceptance that plans can shift along the way. She’s preparing to relocate to a new city, as well as financial planning, tuition costs and to find work while she applies to various graduate programs.
Life is unpredictable and for Mondragon, who says she likes checklists and structure, the uncertainty of post-grad life creates its own challenges.
“I like knowing things. I like to be ahead of the game. I like having my to-do list, being able to check things off,” Mondragon said. “Obviously, when you move it’s going to be a new environment, new people, new friends, new school. That’s what scares me, having to adjust. But that’s life, isn’t it? We have to get used to it whether we like it or not.”
Currently, Mondragon is focusing on completing her studies and preparing for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). She is also applying to different programs and gathering letters of recommendation.
“Grasping that my plan isn’t foolproof and that I’ll probably have to adjust it. That‘s been the challenge, but also knowing what I want to do,” Mondragon said.
Mondragon said that while high school introduced her to STEM, UTEP and especially the computer science department, gave her the support system she needed to pursue it seriously.
Her family has also been a major part of her support system.
“My family here… they’ve been my biggest supporters throughout my college career. Anytime things were tough, I could go to them and that helped a lot, especially the first couple months,” Mondragon said.
Leaving El Paso has been a long-term goal for Mondragon, one she made with herself when she graduated high school as valedictorian. Financially, UTEP was her best option at the time, but she told herself that when she finished, she would seek opportunities elsewhere and gain the independence she wanted.
Mondragon says that while many feel El Paso doesn’t offer as many opportunites, she doesn’t believe students have to leave to succeed, people just need to be willing to look a little closer.
“The possibilities aren’t limited here; everybody has this falsehood that UTEP is limiting or doesn’t offer enough opportunities,” Mondragon said. “Not saying El Paso doesn’t have anything, they definitely do, but it requires more of the internal search,” Mondragon said.
Mondragon knows that uncertainty can be intimidating, but she sees it as part of growth, not aa sign of failure.
“You’re dealt a hand of cards and it’s what you make of it, you know, it’s what you’re willing to find,” Mondragon said
As graduation nears, Mondragon says she is stepping forward with what she does have: the support of her mentors, the determination to keep learning and the confidence to figure out the rest of the way.
Jewel Ocampo is a staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected].
