Zachery Shoemaker

After growing up in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Zachery Shoemaker decided to attend the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University for his undergraduate degree.

“ASU has widely accredited engineering programs, and I wanted to study somewhere I knew I could experience fresh interactions with people from all across the world,” he says.

Shoemaker chose to major in informatics due to a longtime fascination with computers. His passion for the field ignited a desire to shape the future of computing.

After discovering informatics as a major, Shoemaker was intrigued by its blend of principles from computer science, psychology and sociology. 

“Informatics shapes how people interact with technology and information every day,” he says. “It helps people create and improve systems that are accessible and safe, and it keeps people connected in their daily lives.”

He knew he was on the right educational and career path when he began writing programs as a first-year student.

“Coding a solution to a problem is fulfilling and exciting,” Shoemaker says. “It almost feels like you’re playing a video game where the result can help people.”

He says the creative side of engineering is among the field’s most enjoyable aspects, noting that he enjoys building things and observing how others interact with his creations.

When he reflects on his Fulton Schools experience, Shoemaker says he has learned to view problems in new ways. He says studying engineering has taught him how to think critically and devise solutions to problems he once would never have considered.

Shoemaker also made time to learn from others, meeting fellow students from around the world and connecting with those from an array of backgrounds.

“I’m proud of who I have become through my personal growth and development in my time at ASU,” he says.

After graduation, he plans to return to his hometown and begin his job search for a career in software development.

Favorites

Band: The Eagles
TV show: One Piece
Movie: Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones
Sport: Hockey 
Geeky possession: Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ fall 2025 class.

Written by TJ Triolo