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title: Axel Martinez Siliezar Interview

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# Axel Martinez Siliezar Interview
### May 17, 2021
**Course:** iOS
**University:** UC Merced

### Personal Questions
*Tell me about yourself.*
- 2nd yr CS @ UCM
- Initially, started with SwiftUI
- 

*Why do you want to apply as a Tech Fellow?*
- MLT
    - Management Leadership for Tomorrow
        - 18 Months of leadership training for underrepresented communities
        - Give you ideas for the future
        - Ideathons
        - Networking with others
        - Career fairs
        
- Mentor mentioned CodePath (Moises)

*What skills do you have that would contribute as a Tech Fellow? Prior experiences?*
- Swift was his first programming language
- Began with SwiftUI
    - Likes learning about architecture
- On board for SHIP at UCM
    - Was able to advertise the program to SHIP
- Soft-skill
    - Knows how to connect with someone in need - puts himself in their shoes
    - Knows how to lean on TAs

*What does it take to build a good community in the classroom?*
- Built from the ground-up
- Needs to be nutured with classroom interaction
- Doesn't think that breakout rooms are the most efficient
- Moving in-person
    - Hosting a social night or game night
    - Asking students what they would want

*What skills do you want to build/improve on? (technical/non-technical)*
- Communicating technical topics to beginners - to effectively teach

*How was the TF application process? Would you make any changes to improve it?*
- Straightforward process
- "insightful questions on the form"

*What would you improve in CodePath?*
- Mid-week reminders in the middle of the 7-day assignment period
    - Most likely an email (offer help thru slack or OH)


### Live Demo 
Applicants should present their favorite tool that they used from the previous course that they've taken with. This should be presented through slides.

* **Additional notes:**
    * Began with great energy :+1: 
    * Began with tool explanation :+1: 
    * Effective slide decks (minimal text & insightful diagrams) :+1: 
    * Discussed MVC Architecture! :+1: 
    * Discussed XCode IDE naunces (editor assistant, object library) :+1: 
    
* **Verdict:** Pass

### Tech Fellow Covid Grant

Grant of `$599` sent directly to tech fellows via PayPal. All Tech Fellows can apply (for-credit, non-credit, returning, new, etc.). To qualify, TFs must:

* Write an essay about COVID + CodePath community-building
* Attend + Participate 9-week leadership training
* Recruit minimum of 15 students (Admitted status)

Application Opens: tba
Application Deadline: tba


ASK TF IF ANY QUESTIONS?

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