Aonika Mae Parrish

She/Her/Hers
MSSM, 2026

What unique skills or interests do you bring to the iii?

I provide unique perspectives when it comes to solving problems and initiating solutions. My time at Spelman College focused on understanding the methods behind concepts we learned, such as a bubble sort, for example. The understanding I gained from conceptual learning has allowed me to analyze different problems from the ground-up. This could help simplify problems and result in quicker turnaround for solving them. I also bring my integrity. However one perceives me, whether in word or in deed, is who I truly am. This drives the quality of my work and the genuine nature of my relationships with other people.

Why MSSM?

I believe MSSM has the perfect balance of business and technical education. I aspire to pursue a career related to Software Engineering and this program seems to be more than I could hope for. The rigor of the education along with the quality of the course content were primary indicators in choosing this program for my Master's degree.

Education

I obtained a Bachelor's of Computer Science from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.

Experience

Backend Developer Intern at IBM

What type of role are you looking to obtain after you graduate?

I'm looking to be a Software Engineer, Software Developer, or Backend Developer for a tech company, specifically for IBM. Currently, I have come to enjoy my role as Backend Developer Intern at IBM, so this would be, at the very least, the first role I would like to obtain. Throughout my career, I intend to explore the different aforementioned roles.