Vanessa Rivas-Davila

 
"I love that this field allows me to lend creativity and data, finding patterns, creating visualizations and sharing information in ways that are easy for others to understand."

 
Hometown

Tucson, Arizona

To me, the InfoSci experience means... 

Having a strong foundation in understanding how information and technology shape the world around us. Information science has shown me how both qualitative data such as interviews and open-ended questions, and quantitative data, like surveys and interaction counts, can be used together to make information more accessible, meaningful and impactful. What I appreciate most is how flexible this field is, allowing its principles to be applied across public health, technology, science, business, marketing and many other industries.

More about me:

Hello! I'm currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Information Science & Arts with a minor in Spanish. I was drawn to this field because of my natural curiosity and interest in understanding different truths and perspectives. I find it rewarding to work on hands-on projects and apply what I learn to everyday life. Through my part-time jobs, talking with people and asking questions has helped me provide better experiences, while also showing me how information can be used to understand needs and improve outcomes.

Whether it's using data to better understand customer service experience in my part-time jobs or exploring datasets that help visualize hiking conditions, I love discovering information that can guide me to better decisions and improve accessibility for others. 

I’ve gained experience through various customer service roles in restaurants, cafés, retail and fast-food environments across Tucson. I’m currently working at a local bakery and café downtown, which I truly enjoy. I also completed an internship with Goodwill, where I collected and analyzed data to research the awareness gap between the organization’s mission and its shoppers and donors. Long term, I hope to work in data analysis and research, ideally within public health or nonprofit organizations, where community impact and public knowledge are central. I would also love the opportunity to gain experience in different regions of the U.S. or internationally to broaden my perspective.

Outside of academics and work, I am passionate about community involvement and local events. I have helped organize local art markets and volunteered at hospices, especially during the holidays. My hobbies include visiting local markets and cafés, playing card games, sewing, working with clay and ceramics, watercolor and acrylic painting, scrapbooking, journaling and reading!

My advice for new InfoSci students is... 

Don't give up, Lucha! Feeling lost or confused is a part of the process, and that's okay. Talking to people, even just one or two, makes a huge difference. You are not alone in navigating uncertainty. Information science may seem fuzzy at times but it's incredibly flexible and adaptable to your interests. I love that this field allows me to lend creativity and data, finding patterns, creating visualizations and sharing information in ways that are easy for others to understand. Stay curious, ask questions! 
  

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