Lauren Gracias came to the iSchool knowing she wanted a career in technology. What she didn’t know yet was exactly where she wanted to focus. After stepping away from tech for part of high school, she arrived looking for direction. She found it in a community that encouraged her to explore.
“The iSchool was super welcoming and supported me in that journey,” she said.
That journey started early. During her freshman year, Career Services encouraged her to participate in a Spring Break Trip. The connections she made there led her to apply for a job with Syracuse University’s Information Technology Services (ITS), where she built the technical skills that became the foundation of her career. She also joined NEXIS, the iSchool’s student technology lab, starting as an AI researcher before working her way up to Team Lead.
As her interests evolved, so did her opportunities. An AI fellowship through Cornell gave her hands-on experience building AI products for real companies, while an Introduction to Information Security course introduced her to cybersecurity. That class sparked a new interest and eventually led to an internship where she explored the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.
Gracias graduated in May 2026 with a degree in Applied Data Science and concentrations in Cybersecurity and Innovation, Design and Startups. This fall, she’ll begin her career in New York City as a Production Services Engineer at BNY, a role that combines her interests in AI, cybersecurity and technology.
One class continues to stand out as she reflects on her time at the iSchool: IST 344, Information Reporting and Presenting. While technical skills were essential, she says learning how to confidently communicate complex ideas has been just as valuable.
“It taught me the skills I needed to give presentations without my confidence wavering,” she said.
As she looks ahead, Gracias is excited about BNY’s work in AI, especially the growth of multi-agent systems that allow AI tools to work together to solve increasingly complex problems.
“Each day brings something new and exciting,” she said.
Looking back, Gracias says it wasn’t one class, one club or one opportunity that shaped her experience. It was the combination of them all. By saying yes to new experiences and taking advantage of the support around her, she found a path that led from the classroom to a career she’s excited to begin.