Letter by Andrés Gómez, PhD '17

Dear Berkeley IEOR Community, 

 

As an alumnus of the Berkeley IEOR PhD program, I often reflect on how transformative my time at Berkeley was—not just for my academic growth, but for the trajectory of my entire career. My journey at Berkeley instilled in me a mindset of limitless potential. I was surrounded by world-changers—faculty, leaders, and students all driven to redefine what’s possible. At first, I even wondered if there had been a mix-up—that perhaps I didn’t belong in such an extraordinary environment. But as the months unfolded, I discovered that with enough passion, hard work, and determination, I too could turn dreams into reality. 

 

My path to success would not have been possible without the financial support I received. While I was fortunate to have my parents’ help during my first year, I depended on financial support from my second year onwards. This financial assistance was critical—it allowed me to focus on my research, push the boundaries of knowledge, and ultimately pursue a career in academia, where I now serve as an assistant professor at the University of Southern California. 

 

In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, advanced education is more critical than ever—especially as breakthroughs in AI demand specialized technical skills. As the best public university in the world, Berkeley continues to play a fundamental role in the democratization of knowledge. Yet, accessing this education comes with challenges: high living expenses and steep out-of-state tuition can be significant barriers. Having benefited from help myself, I want to ensure that others have the same opportunities I did. That’s why I give back to Berkeley IEOR. 

 

Big Give is our opportunity to sustain and grow the culture of excellence that defines Berkeley IEOR. Your support ensures that students—regardless of their financial circumstances—can access the resources they need to thrive. Every gift, no matter the size, helps provide scholarships, fund groundbreaking research, and maintain the unparalleled education that Berkeley is known for. 

 

I invite you to join me in making a gift to Berkeley IEOR during Big Give 2025. Together, we can empower the next generation of leaders and ensure that Berkeley continues to lead in the field of industrial engineering and operations research. 

 

Thank you for being part of this incredible community. Go Bears! 

 

With gratitude, 

 

Andrés Gómez, PhD ‘17 

Assistant Professor, University of Southern California