If Anna Staresinic x’25 had to sum up her journey at UW–Madison in one word, it would be “well-rounded.”
“The idea of being well-rounded has followed me throughout my life. UW stood out to me because it’s such a well-rounded university. There’s a balance between nature and city life, and though it’s a large school, there are pockets of eclectic communities everywhere. I’ve tried to keep my experience well-rounded in the way that the school and the people are well-rounded,” says Staresinic.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Staresinic is majoring in Information Science and Data Science, with certificates in Computer Sciences and Sustainability. Her academic journey through the School of Computer, Data & Information Science reflects how CDIS empowers students to blend technology, data, and creativity to tackle complex challenges.
“I like to be multidisciplinary. I’m never happy just focusing on one thing. I have so many different interests and I would not have been satisfied with my college experience if I didn’t get to put my hands in all the different pots that I’m interested in. I’m always trying to get involved with new things and see what else there is to learn on this campus,” says Staresinic.
A Hands-On Approach to Technology
Staresinic has a passion for robotics, which began in middle school with competitions through FIRST Robotics, an organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs. She started out working with Lego robots and then moved on to an all-girls team out of Carnegie Mellon University in high school where she began gaining experience with the mechanical, software, and design aspects of robotics.
“Seeing the code I’m writing in a physical test rig or robot is very rewarding. Robotics allows you to get the hardware aspect of things as well as the software side,” says Staresinic.
A Passion for Computing and Information Science
In high school, Staresinic honed her programming skills, deepening her passion for computing. But it wasn’t until she arrived at UW–Madison that she discovered the breadth of opportunities within the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS). Through coursework in data science and information science, she found a way to merge analytical thinking with creative problem-solving, shaping a truly interdisciplinary education.
“A lot of the information science classes allow for creative applications of things you learn in your data science or computer science classes. I’ve gotten to take a bunch of interesting classes about design, creating an interesting user interface, and how we can keep people at the center of technology creations,” says Staresinic.
CDIS’s flexible structure enabled Staresinic to bridge multiple disciplines, reinforcing connections across her studies.
“Right now, I’m taking a course on human-computer interaction, which counts as both a Computer Sciences and Information Science course. It draws on a lot of concepts I learned from LIS 470, which is a design class. In both courses, we look at different software and technology applications and understand how technology is impacting the people working with it. The courses are all so interconnected which is really interesting to me,” says Staresinic.
One of her favorite courses, CS 320: Data Science Programming, introduced her to new data science applications and essential industry tools.
“Through that class, I got hands-on experience with GitLab, which is a critical skill for software engineers,” says Staresinic.
Promoting Sustainability
Amongst her technological pursuits, Staresinic is also pursuing a certificate in sustainability. She was inspired to work toward a sustainability certificate after joining Re-Wear It, a student organization that promotes conscious consumerism and sustainable fashion. The organization regularly holds bi-weekly clothing swaps. Staresinic currently serves as clothing swap chair.
Finding Community Through Campus Involvement
Beyond her technical and environmental passions, Staresinic is also a radio show host at WSUM, UW–Madison’s student-run radio station. Her involvement on campus is driven by a desire to find community, especially as an out-of-state student. She ultimately found that sense of belonging with the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board (WASB).
“I’ve been involved in close-knit communities my entire life. Coming from out of state, I was really seeking community upon arriving here,” says Staresinic. “I was looking for a group of people who were super enthusiastic about the school and very passionate and down to earth. That is exactly what I got when I joined. I’ve made some of my best friends from being in WASB and have found such a beautiful community,” says Staresinic.
Staresinic serves as president of WASB. The 65-person organization helps encourage students’ passion for the school and create strong ties between the university and its students. One of her favorite memories as part of WASB was hosting the All-Campus Party for students and seeing its impact.
“You can give a student the simplest thing like a granola bar and a bagel and it can make their day. Things like that remind me that you can do things that make a difference even if it’s something small,” says Staresinic.
As president, she also sits on the Alumni Advisory Council, connecting with UW–Madison graduates worldwide. One of the most valuable lessons she’s learned from alumni? No one has it all figured out.
“I’ve learned it’s okay if you don’t like your career or if you are leaving college and don’t have a job lined up. If you are smart, if you care, and you’re driven, you’ll figure it out,” says Staresinic.
Among the many lessons Staresinic has learned, one stands out: embarrassment is a choice.
“Something is only embarrassing if you make it embarrassing. College is full of too many experiences and opportunities to say no to things out of fear of embarrassment or shame. Go after what you want and explore all your interests; you never know what doors it may open up,” says Staresinic.
Looking Ahead
Graduating this spring, Staresinic will be joining Oceaneering International, a subsea engineering and applied technology company, as a software engineer.
“I can walk away from my time at UW feeling very fulfilled. I’ve gotten involved with so many things that I knew I was interested in and things that I had no idea I was passionate about that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” says Staresinic.