Survival Manual for ITIZ
Why am I writing this?
First of all, I'm writing my first article for my portfolio. I want to test the custom components I made, plus learn how to write my articles in Markdown.
Second, I think it's important to understand how ITIZ works and how to make the most of the benefits of being a student there. Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with my university, since I graduated as a Systems Engineer from there.
Looking at it with a cool head, ITIZ is a wonderful school. Like any institution, it has its disadvantages, but that's why I want to share some tips that can help you not just survive, but thrive in this university experience.
General recommendations:
- Study on your own: I'm not generalizing, but most people who study there think everything will be handed to them in the classrooms. ERROR: worst thing you can think. Study on your own and have your own projects; that helps a lot so you don't graduate as a newbie and any minimally outstanding project is highly valued by professors.
- Don't take classes with slacker professors: I could bet that the professors who are least interested in teaching you are the most demanding when evaluating. I had a graphics professor who never taught anything and at the end offered to give me an 80 just so I wouldn't complain about him to the administration.
- Only idiots don't ask questions: If you have doubts, ask. Yes, I know, it's a cliché, but you're not in high school for your classmates to make fun of you. Usually, those who make fun of questions are the ones doing worst. If you're shy like me (I never dared to ask), bring your phone or laptop with ChatGPT to solve your express doubts and write them down.
- Take classes with Veliz: This is a very specific TIP and I don't know if, when you read this, my favorite professor is still there. I know he has a bad reputation because he doesn't pass just anyone, and that's exactly what makes him so good. If you take advantage of his classes, he'll teach you things that aren't in the syllabus. He's the professor who taught me the most during my time there.
- Good relationship with the department head: At least while I studied there, having a good relationship with the department head at that time, Miguel Ángel, was a great benefit. Warning: he won't pass your subjects or help you directly, but he'll always see how to support you with your projects. He lent me the Meta Quest so I could develop VR things, what a legend. He invited me to the Mexican Senate for my projects. He'll help you greatly to grow as an engineer.
::carousel images=[{"src": "/media/post/images/itiz5.jpg", "alt": "Networks class at ITIZ", "caption": "Networks class (Fortunately I managed to switch specialties to Web Development)"}, {"src": "/media/post/images/itiz6.jpg", "alt": "Campus trees at ITIZ", "caption": "Here I got a huge scratch from their poorly trimmed trees"}, {"src": "/media/post/images/itiz8.jpg", "alt": "Friendships at ITIZ", "caption": "Some of the friendships I made :3"}]::
How to pass subjects without taking a huge hit
The first thing I recommend is attending classes. You won't be able to pass any subject without doing so, obviously. At least during the time I studied, it was mandatory to have at least 80% attendance to pass subjects.
If you have personal problems, talk to the professors: most of them are cool and can help you. But don't expect them to pass you just because you asked nicely; you're not Criss Angel.
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Engineering Expo:
Huge tip I'm going to give you: at the end of each semester they have an event called Engineering Expo. Make sure to have a spot in the subject that gives you the most trouble, because professors always help students who participate in that event. Obviously, you have to have something to present, some project, get your act together. They don't give away Engineering degrees either lol.
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Event participation:
Participation in academic events like Engineering Expo not only helps you academically, but also allows you to showcase your skills and network with professors and other students. It also sounds cliché, but I developed the best projects with people I met at school events. You can definitely find your group of weird friends there.
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Student life advice
- Chill with the partying: I know many people who wasted their time as students on parties, alcohol and even drugs. Totally respectable the way you want to speed up your death. And I get it, partying is cool, here comes the advice: study hours for studying and obviously enjoy your university life however you please.
- Take care of your health: Besides the fact that leaving ITIZ means getting impregnated by the self-designated smoking area, try to do everything possible to stay healthy. More than ITIZ advice it's life advice: if your friend who smokes weed looks really cool, but smells really shitty too. Take care of yourself, that's all. There's no respawn in this video game.
- Abuse of authority: Any attempt to abuse authority, whatever the source, should be reported. The director is very participative in those cases. Don't let yourself be pushed around, but obviously don't abuse power either. You're a student, literally you're the reason for that place. Don't let them confuse you: professors don't do you favors, it's their job, period.
- Know your rights: You have the right to quality education, to be treated with respect and to have access to the institution's resources. Don't be afraid to demand what's rightfully yours.
The importance of networking
ITIZ is not just a place to study, it's also where you can build professional relationships that will serve you for life. Some tips:
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Relationships with professors:
- Participate in class (always helps with grades)
- Show genuine interest in the subject
- Ask for feedback on your projects
Sometimes I liked to mess with professors who didn't know what they were doing. Sometimes ITIZ hires completely unqualified professors (any university does this, no surprise). If you know more about the topic, expose them, honestly lol.
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Classmates:
- Form effective study groups
- Collaborate on extracurricular projects
- Exchange contacts and maintain communication
- Support your classmates when they need it
Your classmates today could be your business partners tomorrow. I've seen cases of students who founded successful companies with people they met at university.
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Resources you should take advantage of
ITIZ has pretty regular laboratories but you can use them:
- Computer Lab: Precarious equipment that if you're lucky connects to internet
- Library: I never used it, honestly, but one exists
- VR Equipment: The Systems department head has them, run for them. Take care of them because there are only two
Exchange programs and scholarships
Research the opportunities for student exchange and available scholarships. During my time there, I met students who were able to do incredible exchanges that opened many doors for them.
What I wish I had known before
If I could go back in time and talk to my first-semester self, I would tell him:
1. Don't take grades too seriously: Obviously study and give your best effort, but a grade doesn't define your worth as a professional. 2. Experiment with different areas: Don't pigeonhole yourself from the first semester. I started wanting to be a network engineer and ended up falling in love with web development, it's what puts food on my table today. 3. Personal projects are worth gold: That project you do in your free time can be worth more than all the passed subjects. Employers highly value personal initiative.
Final message
ITIZ can be a transformative experience if you know how to take advantage of it. It's not perfect, no institution is, but it has the potential to give you the necessary tools to build a solid career in technology.
Remember: your success doesn't depend solely on the institution, but on how much you're willing to work hard and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you.
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_Thanks for reading_