Meet Jenna Bernstein ’25 Bernstein discovered a passion for coding at W&L and has sought out every opportunity to get involved with technology on campus.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
October 22, 2024

Jenna Bernstein ’25
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Majors/minors: Computer science major; philosophy minor

Why did you choose to come to W&L?

I chose W&L because of its strong commitment to a liberal arts education, which allows me to explore a wide range of subjects. Not only does this school offer a broad range of activities and groups to be a part of, but it also has such a close-knit community where professors genuinely care about their students and build meaningful connections. Additionally, the opportunity to play field hockey was a significant factor in my decision, as W&L not only provided the academic environment I sought but also allowed me to continue pursuing a sport I love.

Have you discovered a course or topic that you didn’t expect to study when you first came to W&L?

When I first arrived at W&L, I thought I would pursue a biology degree, but my academic journey took an unexpected turn after my first semester. I explored various courses, one of these being Introduction to Engineering, which helped me discover my passion for coding. After that, I enrolled in my first computer science class and never looked back. The Computer Science Department has become an important part of my academic experience, and I’m grateful for the support and guidance from my professors.

Where is your “home” on campus?
I have found a home on this campus in both Alpha Delta Pi and my field hockey team. The girls that both organizations have brought me make me feel at home no matter where I physically am. I have never felt support and true friendship like I do with the people I am surrounded by in these groups. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of both.

What has been your most impactful experience at W&L, either on or off-campus?
One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had at W&L was a career trip to New York City over Washington Break during my sophomore year, where we visited tech companies and met with alumni and professionals in the field. Thanks to the Career and Professional Development Office, I had the chance to explore a variety of tech companies, from startups to midsize firms to industry giants like Google, Spotify, Amazon and Meta. This trip gave me valuable insights on different work environments and helped me discover my true passions in the tech industry. Meeting so many successful W&L alums who were eager to support current students left a lasting impression on me.

What are your hobbies/interests? How has W&L helped you develop and pursue them?
Since becoming a computer science major and discovering my interest in technology, I have actively sought out and taken every opportunity to get involved with tech on this campus. W&L has offered me a broad range of ways to engage with technology that have helped me learn and develop skills that I would not have acquired on my own. From working as a teaching assistant for computer science labs to supporting the Information Technology Services Help Desk, contributing to the Mock Convention app development team, conducting AI research with a professor and being a member of GenTech, I have had the opportunity at W&L to immerse myself in a wide spectrum of experiences. These opportunities prepared me well for my software engineering internship at Microsoft this past summer, and because of my positive experience there, I have the pleasure of returning full-time following my graduation.

Have you studied abroad during your time at W&L? Where did you go, and how was your experience?

During the Spring Term of my sophomore year, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad, and it was such an amazing experience! I took an economics course focused on European policy, business and culture in London and Paris. While in Europe, we visited a ton of cool museums, tried incredible food, and I made some great new friends from my class. The trip really brought what we were learning to life, letting us dive into the culture firsthand. Some of my favorite moments were visiting Strasbourg, going to a Paris Saint-Germain game, making macarons and seeing the Mona Lisa! Looking back, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this unforgettable experience.

What do you like about being a DIII athlete?
Choosing Division III allowed me to attend a school that challenges me academically while also giving me the opportunity to play field hockey. At W&L, the competitive nature of the sport, along with the structure it provides, has fostered an environment that encourages me to excel in the classroom. What I truly appreciate about DIII is that it offers student-athletes the flexibility to pursue other interests throughout college as well. This balance has made my college experience much more meaningful and has contributed to my personal and academic growth.