May 27, 2026
Donat Fabian (SCI’ 26) has spent his last couple years at Pitt blooming as both an undergraduate and graduate student at SCI and as an international student and student-athlete. Fabian is originally from Budapest, Hungary and has juggled the responsibilities of being on the Pitt Varsity Men’s Swimming team and completing his newest degree, a Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS), in only three consecutive semesters. Through it all, Fabian has spent his time at Pitt learning that hard work and passion are some of the most important ingredients of success.
Fabian began his higher education journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in information science at SCI, graduating from Pitt in Spring 2025, before seeking his MSIS in 2026. His career at Pitt began from a love of resolving conflicts, which drew him towards getting a SCI degree.
“I have always been drawn to the world of IT and solving issues,” Fabian said. “I love creative problem-solving, and my goal was to choose a field where I can benefit from that.”
This passion for the technological world pushed Fabian to continue his education at SCI. During his time in the MSIS program, Fabian has learned crucial skills, such as how to approach complex problems practically and how to work in group settings.
“The MSIS program has prepared me for my future career by combining hands-on technical experience with real-world problem-solving through labs and projects in areas like security, databases, and cloud systems,” Fabian said. “I’ve developed strong "soft" skills, especially problem-solving under pressure, and clear communication of technical concepts.”
Fabian has also had to learn how to carry the responsibilities of multiple roles at once. As a student athlete, Fabian admitted it has been a challenge to succeed in each of his athletic, academic, and social pursuits. He explained he spent hours studying school material during multi-day swim competitions just to stay on top of his work. All these moments of hard work have taught Fabian the lesson of balance.
“The hardest part of this year has been balancing a healthy sleep schedule, as recovery is the most important part of being an athlete, and there is no growth without it,” Fabian said. “When you have no other choice but to succeed, you will only look for solutions.”
Fabian also handles his athletic responsibilities while being an international student at Pitt. The leap of faith Fabian took to come to Pitt has allowed him to grow in the Pitt community in ways he never imagined and bring a piece of his culture with him to Pittsburgh.
“International students develop confidence that helps them succeed, as they are knowingly part of something not many people have the maturity and intelligence to accomplish and recognize,” Fabian said. “This is what ultimately allowed me to have incredible and deep-rooted human connections with the staff, class, and teammates.”
Fabian said his best advice to the newest generation of SCI students is to be willing to go past your comfort zone by saying “yes.”
“Say yes to everything that might benefit you, including meetings, conversations, and networking opportunities,” Fabian said. “It really helped me to get close to a few of my classmates, and we were able to get through tough projects together, sharing our knowledge and providing inspiration.”
As Fabian prepared for graduation, he looked back on his experience at SCI as being “transformative.”
“Everyone should have an idea of who they want to be eventually, to set a goal, and to become that person while using the environment that they create,” Fabian said. “Growing up just happens; you might as well take control of it.”
Fabian’s hard work as a SCI student, student athlete, and international student have given him the confidence to step into his next post-graduate stage with a certainty in his abilities, his community, and, most importantly, himself.