SFWE undergrad wins Wildcat Engineering Trailblazer scholarship

Amber Parker was a hairdresser for 10 years before pursuing a bachelor’s in software engineering. 

Parker taught herself how to code and joined student clubs like the Software Engineering Wildcats and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. This dedication earned Parker the Wildcat Engineering Trailblazer scholarship. 

Nontraditional students like Parker were highlighted at the College of Engineering's annual scholarship reception. 

Scholarships were integral in helping Parker balance school and family life. She said she did not qualify for many scholarships because her husband works.

“But that ends up creating a lot of debt,” she said. “The scholarship helps lessen the burden.”

Parker’s kids are talking for the first time about going to college, she said.

“The less burden I have, the more I can help them.”

In May, Parker will be the first in her family to graduate with a college degree, and she looks forward to supporting her children on their higher academic journey.

And her work has already paid off: IBM hired her for a CO-OP – cooperative education – position that comes with a salary and continued education. Because of this support, she started the accelerated master’s program in 2024.