While in high school, Crystal Zhang did not plan on a computer science and design degree; in fact, she nearly failed her AP computer science course. However, thanks to an internship that introduced her to software development and user experience design, she felt inspired to give computer science another shot. 

“I got really good financial aid and started researching opportunities at Northeastern … that showed me what a perfect fit it was,” says Zhang, who plans to graduate in May. “I’ve forged my own path and found opportunities to add creativity to my degree.”

Zhang hit the ground running, with two Dialogue of Civilizations programs in her first two years made possible by grants from Khoury College and Northeastern’s Global Experience Office.

“As a low-income student, travel, especially internationally, was not something my family could afford growing up,” she recalls, “but I always had this curiosity and dream to see the world.”

In Basel, Switzerland, Zhang studied graphic design and typography, her first time abroad other than a childhood trip to China. Learning graphic design under Mark Laughlin, she felt she walked away with a better understanding of design fundamentals.

“The pieces started falling together into place for me,” she recalls. “I felt that I had the tools to elevate my designs and confidently lean into that side of my degree.”

In the summer after her second year, Zhang traveled abroad again, this time to Cape Town, South Africa, after adding a minor in social innovation and entrepreneurship. The program involved Northeastern and TSIBA Business School students collaborating to help address the needs of a local social enterprise.

“I made lifelong friends through this experience, and I’m excited to go back and visit them,” Zhang says.

After working with the social enterprise, Zhang spent time researching solutions to social issues in Cape Town, such as youth unemployment. She and her team proposed a high school internships initiative to the deputy mayor, one that drew on her experience in New York City’s summer youth employment programs.

Zhang’s desire to give back was not limited to her time abroad. She became a participant and leader in Code4Community (C4C), a student group that Zhang says “defined my college experience.” C4C designs and develops software solutions for nonprofits in Boston.

After shadowing a product manager in her first semester, Zhang went on to lead a team as a product manager for a year before becoming director of design. Noticing a need for more design investment and development in the group, she recruited new designers, ran workshops, offered constructive critiques, and mentored budding designers. She also collaborated with another Northeastern club, Scout, to run a student design workshop on Figma, a popular interface design tool.

She also mentored and developed a close relationship with designer and Northeastern student Angeli Lu, who has since succeeded her as director of design and now carries forward the vision for better design practices within C4C. 

“When we first met, she wasn’t a design major, but she had this unwavering and inspiring passion for design,” Zhang adds. “I think this speaks to something unique about C4C, where you can truly learn or do anything you want regardless of your background or previous experience.”

Zhang transitioned into the role of operations director, where she does everything big and small to keep C4C running. Recently, her focus has been on nurturing the club’s community and culture, empowering students to bring their ideas to life, and fostering an environment where they feel supported, included, and encouraged to explore their interests and curiosities.

“While I keep tabs on everyone and everything to make sure that we are delivering our projects to our partner organizations, the most meaningful part of the experience is seeing how my development over four years has allowed me to now step into a mentorship role,” she says. “The most fulfilling moments have come from staying hours after all-hands meetings to chat with folks and help them grasp technical concepts I once struggled with.”

The drive to mentor others is critical for Zhang, especially because at one point in her second year, she was failing a CS class and her self-doubt from high school returned. 

“I was questioning my abilities and where I belonged in CS,” she remembers. “It was a hard time for me, seeing everyone else appear to succeed. I felt alone in my struggles with the course.”

But while searching for community, she got involved with Rewriting the Code, an international nonprofit that empowers young women in tech through mentorship, education, and peer-to-peer networking, with the goal of promoting sustainable careers and equal opportunity. Through RTC, Zhang met Melinda Rubenstein, a member of the customer success team at Microsoft. Rubenstein connected Zhang with other women in computer science and provided the advice and perspective that she needed to succeed in her courses.

“I felt like I could be really honest about how I felt,” Zhang says. 

After learning that Northeastern was partnering with RTC, Zhang quickly applied to be an ambassador. Working with three other women to organize events, they promote Rewriting the Code to first- and second-year female students.

READ: “I could be wholly myself”: Northeastern’s Rewriting the Code ambassadors share their stories

“All of us have been there and felt like we didn’t belong,” Zhang says. “I love the raw and unfiltered advice we’re able to give to those who are navigating the same struggles we once did.”

In addition to her work with C4C and Rewriting the Code, Zhang had co-ops on Fidelity Investments’ digital consulting solutions team, which provides clients with custom microsites — small and light websites that integrate with existing Fidelity products. She started with consulting, pivoted to software engineering after expressing an interest, and is now hoping to stay on at Fidelity as a full-time software engineer.

“The team at Fidelity is supportive and cares about my development. I am grateful that I am able to explore what interests me with the support of my managers,” she says.