Before Schneider Joachim ’25 arrived at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, he had already taken a bold first step into tech. A few years earlier, he completed a full-stack development bootcamp—diving into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—but he quickly realized he wanted to go further.
“I’ve always been interested in technology, but it wasn’t until COVID that I started teaching myself how to code,” he says. “Once I finished the bootcamp, I wanted to build a foundation that would open real career opportunities. That’s what led me to the iSchool.”
The iSchool’s online presence and impressive job placement stats initially caught Schneider’s attention. But a conversation with an admissions advisor turned interest into enrollment. “Juliette walked me through everything—from the curriculum to the outcomes,” he says. “That personal connection sealed the deal.”
Now a senior majoring in Applied Data Analytics, Schneider has shaped his Syracuse experience around growth, versatility, and future-focused learning. “The iSchool gave me the structure and support I needed to take the skills I started with and turn them into something real,” he says.
That real-world application took form early. As a sophomore, Schneider secured two internships—one with National Grid, where he analyzed safety data to help protect field workers. “That job made me see how data can literally save lives,” he says. “It showed me the human side of tech.”
He’s also embraced community engagement. After participating in a Syracuse open data challenge, Schneider started to view the city he’s lived in since age five through a new lens. “It made me want to give back,” he says. “I’m more involved now in student orgs and service efforts because I understand how data and tech can support real change.”
Outside the classroom, Schneider is pursuing entrepreneurship. Drawing from his coding and analytics background, he’s building a tech consulting venture with a friend, laying the groundwork for a long-term goal of running his own business. “My mom was a business owner before COVID,” he says. “That spirit stuck with me. I want to use my skills to create something of my own.”
He credits the iSchool’s environment—and its people—for helping him get to this point. “I didn’t thrive in high school or early college,” Schneider says. “But here, my advisors actually care. They helped me grow academically, personally, and professionally.”
Looking ahead, he’s open to corporate roles in data analytics, but his heart leans toward entrepreneurship. “The iSchool taught me that I don’t have to pick one lane,” he says. “I can build the skill set, explore different paths, and keep stacking wins.”
For Schneider, the biggest lesson is resilience. “I used to be afraid of failing,” he says. “But the iSchool taught me that failure is just part of the process. Now I see it as a sign I’m growing—and moving forward.”