Transfer Story: Matthew Cherrey

Transfer Story Q&A:

1) How would you describe your first academic year at NJIT?

  • It was really exciting. I had no previous experience with in-person college classes so this was new to me. I made a lot of new friends through clubs and figured out what activities really appealed to me. I also learned a lot about what I enjoyed academically. My second semester was especially revealing; CS252 with Professor Sohn and MATH112 (Calc 2) with Professor Ro really reinforced my love of computer science and math.
     

2) What challenges if any, did you face as a transfer student and how did NJIT help you to overcome those challenges?

  • I think the biggest challenge was learning where I fit in. I was really excited to make new friends. I remember I didn’t exactly know how to start, so while I was waiting for the teacher to arrive in my first physics class, I literally just turned to my left and introduced myself to the person sitting there. Eventually, I learned that clubs are a really solid way to meet new people and I made lifelong friends through my participation in the Association of Computing Machinery and the Newman Catholic Campus Ministry.
     

3) Please describe your experience with NJIT classes and/or tutoring in an online, hybrid, or converged learning format?

  • I have taken classes, tutored math, and taught a programming class online. I personally am not a fan of online learning/teaching. I find I learn and can teach much more effectively in person when I can really make a connection with the other person. That said I am really glad I can still learn even during the pandemic. I am especially grateful that the administration is really trying to offer converged classes where they can. I think that is the best way to learn and I think it benefits students to offer the option whenever possible.
     

4) What are your plans after graduation?

  • I graduated from my undergrad in 2020 and then interred at Facebook over the summer. I then came back to NJIT to start my master’s while I taught a section of CS100 and took on the role of interim campus minister for the Newman Catholic Campus Ministry. This year I am taking a sabbatical from my master’s degree to research cryptography in Germany for my Fulbright Fellowship. After that, I will probably continue my master’s degree and hopefully integrate my research from Germany into my master’s thesis. After that, to be honest I am not sure what I want to do! I am still figuring out what I want my long-term career to look like through trying new things.
     

5) What advice would you give to a prospective transfer student?

  • Join clubs! You will learn so much and make so many new friends through the experience! I made friends, learned Salsa, was inspired to start a research position, got help with classes, fed the homeless, and more; all through clubs, I participated in!
     

6) What is a major difference between NJIT and the previous school you transferred from?

  • Penn State online didn’t have any strong community. I don’t personally prefer online classes but I am at least extremely thankful that through the Newman Catholic Club, ACM, and Student Life, NJIT still has an active community I can participate in.
     

7) What are the three things you like best about NJIT?

  • The students: everyone is really dedicated to their craft and works hard to learn new things.

  • The professors: I have met some professors that really inspire me and I have learned so much from them. Without their passion and expertise, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish anything.

  • The clubs: They have been so helpful to my development and making friends. I have learned a ton through leadership in the Newman Catholic Campus Ministry eBoard which will be useful for the rest of my life.