Student view: Celebrating learning as much as winning 

Navya Bhardwaj will graduate on Sunday, May 3, with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering and minors in data science, and computational mathematics, science and engineering. She is president of MSU Women in Computing and served as co-director of SpartaHack.

I chose computer science at Michigan State because I love the problem-solving process, and because I wanted to build tools that make a real impact. What I didn’t realize as a first-year student was how much of my growth would happen outside of the classroom: through community, mentorship and the moments when I was challenged to step up before I felt “ready.”

Women in Computing became that community for me. I joined as a new student looking for connection and role models, and I found a space that made tech feel both exciting and welcoming. Through WIC, I met people who encouraged me to apply for opportunities I assumed were out of reach, helped me navigate doubts and reminded me that I belonged in this field.

Over time, I moved from member to webmaster to president, and that progression mirrors what MSU has taught me: confidence is built through practice, support and showing up consistently.

Now, my goal is to pay it forward by creating programs that help other students find their footing, whether that means a first resume review, a mentor who answers “silly” questions without judgment or an event where someone finally feels they’re not alone.

That same spirit of community is what made SpartaHack special for me. As co-director of SpartaHack 11, I helped lead a team that brought hundreds of students together to learn, build and take creative risks in a supportive environment.

Hackathons can be intimidating, especially for first-timers, so we focused on making the experience accessible, through mentorship, beginner-friendly resources and a culture that celebrates learning as much as winning. Watching students turn an idea into a project over a weekend reminded me why I fell in love with computer science in the first place.

I’ve also seen the power of mentorship from the other side as an undergraduate learning assistant. Working with students as they debug their first programs or wrestle with challenging concepts has reinforced for me that perseverance is often the difference-maker, and that a little encouragement can change someone’s entire semester.

I had the opportunity to intern at Morgan Stanley in New York City as a technology summer analyst in summer 2025, where I saw how collaboration and strong engineering fundamentals translate into real-world systems. That experience strengthened my excitement for building scalable, meaningful technology.

I’m grateful that I’ll be returning to Morgan Stanley for a full-time position following graduation.

When I think about what it means to be a Spartan, I think of community — people who push you to grow, and people you get to grow alongside. MSU gave me that, and I hope my work helps strengthen it for the students who come next.