MAY 13, 2025 — Yağmur Hocaoğlu, a UTSA student majoring in chemical engineering, will graduate this spring after an exemplary four years in the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Hocaoğlu became interested in UTSA after moving to San Antonio and learning about the university’s program in chemical engineering, a field she had been fascinated by since she studied in high school. Throughout her UTSA journey, she involved herself in all aspects of the Klesse College, a mindset that enabled her to take on numerous opportunities. Through these experiences, she learned a myriad of valuable lessons and was able to build her network of peers and friends.
After graduation, Hocaoğlu has plans to work as a process engineer at the San Antonio Refinery, where she will continue to pursue a field that means so much while building even more of the connections that shaped her journey.
Read her full interview.
What made you decide to attend UTSA?
YH: I moved to San Antonio in high school, and I wanted to establish roots since I came from a military background where I moved around a lot when I was young. When I heard UTSA offered a chemical engineering program, I was delighted and wanted to learn more about it. Essentially, I wanted to go to college somewhere near my family. Therefore, UTSA was the best option.
When did you figure out what you wanted to study in college?
YH: I really liked chemistry and math in high school, therefore I figured chemical engineering would be the best major for me. Additionally, chemical engineering is a broad field that is in demand. With all of these considerations, I selected chemical engineering as my major during my senior year in high school.
What did you enjoy most about your experience at UTSA?
YH: The endless number of opportunities available to students. During my time here, I held several roles including peer mentor, Klesse student ambassador and tutor. I also participated in enriching programs like Citymester and completed an external internship over the summer.
UTSA offers a wide range of opportunities, and I truly appreciated the chance to explore them. Each experience helped shape who I am today and contributed to the development of both my personal and professional skills.
YH: Realizing that GPA isn't everything and building a strong network can take you even further.
Before college, I believed that a high GPA would guarantee a job, but I learned that success also depends on developing strong social and networking skills. Connecting with companies, professors and industry professionals plays a major role in career opportunities. While GPA is still important, I’ve found that effective communication and interpersonal skills are just as, if not more, valuable.
Do you have any goals or plans after graduation?
YH: Yes, after graduation I plan on working as a process engineer at the San Antonio Refinery. Beyond my career, I also intend on developing my personal and professional skills. Most of all, my goal is to learn where life takes me and to embrace every opportunity with open arms.
What advice do you have for people considering the programs at UTSA?
YH: My advice is to put yourself out there and to try new things. You can never regret trying something, but you can regret not trying it. UTSA offers a variety of programs, whether it entails your major or not. Regardless, there’s value in participating in programs that professionally develop you. Even if it’s something that you would have never guessed that you would do, just try it. I personally wouldn’t have guessed that I would be climbing ladders at a refinery for my internship, but here we are. The point is, just try it, and you can see how much potential you have.
What is your life motto/ slogan?
YH: My life motto is there are no hopeless situations, just hopeless people. I never lost my hope because with hardship comes ease. I feel that anything is possible with having continuous belief, motivation and discipline to solve a problem. Never lose faith and stay true to yourself.
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