Student entrepreneur, Edison Scholar sets sights on information technology pathway

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- La Sierra University computer science senior James Hayes has taken significant steps over the summer toward achieving his goals, and a scholarship received last spring from Edison International will further his progress this school year.

<p> Computer science major James Hayes is among seven students who each received $2,143 in scholarship funds from Edison International to help support their education in STEM subject areas. (Photo above courtesy of James Hayes) </p>

Computer science major James Hayes is among seven students who each received $2,143 in scholarship funds from Edison International to help support their education in STEM subject areas. (Photo above courtesy of James Hayes)

Hayes has set his sights on entering the information technology industry, a field that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts at 11% growth through 2029, “much faster than the average for all occupations,” the bureau stated. All together the bureau projects the information technology sector will add about 531,200 new jobs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the information technology industry at 11% growth through 2029, “much faster than the average for all occupations.”

Price Science Complex

La Sierra's Thaine B. Price Science Complex which houses the computer science program along with biology and mathematics.

In June, Hayes took his own steps into the industry with the formation of his company, Grangloria Technologies, LLC.  He has spent much of the summer focusing on the process of systems analysis and design, and different methodologies that could be used for varying project sizes and complexities. “Network transfer protocols is another subject that I have expanded my knowledge on this summer,” he said.

“I like the idea of software that aids in the business process,” continued Hayes, “things that help the business streamline its procedures. For example, businesses that offer a service or services that require booked appointments by their clients, we can develop applications that would allow their clients or potential clients the ability to see available appointments within let's say, the next half hour and book it. The service provider is able to see their schedule in real time.”

Another potential helpful business software application Hayes’ company is considering is a system that expedites quote generation processes for businesses’ potential customers, thereby increasing sales revenue.  

Hayes plans to pitch software applications to particular industries once application prototypes have been developed, he said. Meanwhile, as a senior this coming school year he is focused on completing his college degree program, an educational goal supported with a $2,143 STEM grant from Edison International. He is one of seven La Sierra students majoring in STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and math – to each receive the scholarship from Edison this year. Other scholarship awardees include Allan Villamor, José Campos, Morgan Williams, Sunny Zhou, Yonghe Li, and Cole E. Mupas.

“This funding allows me to continue to focus on the completion of my educational goals." - James Hayes, senior computer science major

The awards were announced during a virtual May scholarship ceremony. “When I heard my name called, many things ran through my mind at that moment,” said Hayes. “This was an acknowledgement of my hard work, dedication, focus, and discipline.”

La Sierra University has been awarded a total of $120,000 since the 2014-15 school year from Edison International’s STEM Scholars program for supporting students’ career interests in science, technology, engineering and math. Scholarship funds are essential to students’ abilities to pursue their studies and future careers. “This funding allows me to continue to focus on the completion of my educational goals,” Hayes said.

As is the case with many who push through challenges toward their goals, Hayes was inspired by the example of others, specifically that of his mother. “Watching her as I grew up exposed me to perseverance,” he said. “I see what it took to overcome difficulties, now it’s hard for me to complain about difficulties. I believe the intangibles that I gained from my mother guided me in my studies of such a difficult subject. The intangibles are the things you can’t measure in a person, they are the elements used to meet obligations, which leads to accomplishments.”

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