Maneuvering the Digital Frontier: Interview with a Computer Science University Student at UCLA
I am Earnest Wright, a career advisor and writer for Juvenis Maxime. In this blog, I will interview Liam Howard, a Junior Transfer student at UCLA.
The Digital age is rapidly evolving as we transition into the Artificial Intelligence era. The Information Technology sector offers unique opportunities for students in career growth, development, and innovation. To succeed, students need to learn proactively, develop hands-on skills, and plan strategically. These are some of the factors leading up to success. To gain more insights into how students can succeed, we gathered information from stakeholders in the IT and Education sectors. Read on to find actionable strategies and practical steps that University and High School students can employ in their academic and career pursuits.
To better understand how high school and university students can prepare for an IT Career, we interviewed Liam Howard, a Computer Science transfer student at UCLA. Read on to get insights about the career preparation journey as an aspiring IT professional.
Interview with Liam Howard
Q: It is an honor to have you in this interview. Thanks for making time. Please introduce yourself.
Liam: Absolutely. I am Liam Howard, a Junior transfer student at the University of California Los Angeles majoring in Computer Science.
Q: Thanks. How have you been preparing for a career in IT while in high school?
Liam: Sure. In high school, I invested time and energy in learning the basics of computing, how to use different applications, and basic hardware knowledge. Also, I was keen to learn programming. I also enrolled in computer science classes and spent enough time learning how to code. Interest and curiosity allowed me to participate in coding boot camps and hackathons. This gave me exposure and confidence to understand the technical and more challenging aspects. As I delved deeper into programming, my curiosity grew as I started concentrating on programming languages like Java and Python.
Q: That is interesting. As a University student, how are you preparing for an IT career?
Liam: I am glad to have an innate desire to interact with computers, so everything seems to fall into place. Especially now that I started early in high school. It was easy to pick up from where I left off. The basic knowledge from high school has been pivotal to my university journey. I have focused much of my energy on specific core courses and electives that interest me. Take, for instance, I like data science and cyber security. I picked forensic IT and cybersecurity as my concentration. I have also joined tech clubs on campus and participated in hackathons as part of my preparation process. Such activities provide the essential hands-on experience and skills needed in the field. These activities are a great way to connect with mentors and industry professionals. I have also secured an internship with a tech company here in LA. I am also pursuing personal projects in preparation for my senior year.
Q: As a Junior at UCLA studying Computer Science, what advice would you give high school students who intend to follow the same career path?
Liam: Well, I would tell them to start early. High school is the best time to start since there is adequate time to build skills and explore career options. I emphasize that it is not too early for them to code or learn a particular programming language. Students need to engage in tech clubs as they look out for opportunities. Also, I would encourage students to seek mentorship and network with professionals in the industry. Remember that learning is a continuous process, and students must remain curious.
Q: What about students in University enrolled in IT or Computer Science courses? What would you tell them?
Liam: For my comrades, I advise them to grab every opportunity presented on campus or in the business world. Internships, volunteer opportunities, and personal and open-source projects are good starting points. I also recommend that students get involved in research, and if your campus has an incubation center, it is always advisable to join. Lastly, students need to appreciate the power of networking. It starts with building relationships and connections with like-minded peers and industry professionals. Such relationships often culminate into job opportunities in the future.
Q: You mentioned joining coding boot camps and hackathons in high school. What are some achievements you gained in those experiences? Can you tell us more about those experiences and how they contributed to your development?
Liam: My experience in joining bootcamps at Flatiron School involved practical knowledge. However, hackathons developed my critical thinking, hands-on experience, and networking skills. The bootcamp lasted a few months with a guided learning program and a structured curriculum. These bootcamps gave me hands-on experience with Git, JavaScript, HTML, & CSS, this enhanced my skills in web and software development, specifically in CSS & HTML, Ruby, JavaScript, and API integration.
As for the hackathons they lasted for a day or two. In most cases, we worked as a team to develop applications and innovative software. It was an intense experience involving various challenges such as creating prototypes and applications. Also, we had specific problem statements or themes that guided the entire team. This experience developed my problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork. The learning approach focused on experiments and prototyping. At the same time, the curriculum was based on a specific theme or event.
Q: Were there any challenges you faced while learning to code in high school, and how did you overcome them?
Liam: The main challenge involved the complexity of concepts. As you’re aware, coding entails complex concepts and languages that can be overwhelming. To overcome this I started with beginner-friendly programming languages such as Python. I also used interactive coding platforms like Khan Academy and Codeacademy. I always advise aspiring coders to break down complex concepts into manageable chunks.
I also had challenges problem-solving and debugging, it’s time-consuming and frustrating. To overcome this I used online communities like Stack Overflow for help. This gave me the confidence to practice debugging techniques and learn how to troubleshoot issues and read error messages.
Q: What are some key lessons you’ve learned from your internship experience so far?
Liam: The internship experience offered insights and real-world experience into the technology niche. The first lesson that I learned was on technical skills application. I was expected to apply the theoretical knowledge from coursework to real-world problems. I got to troubleshoot system issues, work on coding projects, and contribute to software development.
The other key lesson was on critical thinking and problem-solving. I learned that real-world problems call for creative thinking hence it’s important to approach them systematically. For instance, I was tasked with optimizing a piece of code or debugging complex issues. In such cases, I had to think through various approaches and apply my theoretical knowledge.
Q: Can you share a bit about your projects? What motivates you to pursue them, and what skills are you developing through them?
Liam: Personal projects have been quintessential in helping me secure internship opportunities and build on my knowledge base. For instance, I have developed a Stock Checker app using React, Node.js, Flask, and Vanguard API. The motivation was to hone my skills in Frontend development and APIs. I also created a live chat app using Flask, Node.js, and Firebase. The motivation was to develop skills in networking, databases, and authentication.
Q: How can students effectively seek mentorship and networking opportunities, even if they don’t have many connections in the tech industry yet?
Liam: The first step is to leverage the available University or College resources. In my case, I consulted career services at UCLA because they offer workshops and networking events. I also reached out to faculty and advisors who have industry connections. As I pointed out earlier, participating in tech events, hackathons, and meetups exposed me to industry professionals. Even if one does not have connections, it is always possible to reach out directly through cold emails and informational interviews.
Q: You mentioned the importance of research and incubation centers. Can you explain the benefits of these experiences for aspiring IT professionals?
Liam: Incubation and research centers provide a fertile environment for aspiring IT professionals to network with industry professionals, develop new skills, explore innovative ideas, and gain hands-on experience. These experiences are quintessential for anyone preparing for a career in IT.
Conclusion
Students looking to pursue a career in IT need to prepare early, learn continuously, and gain practical experience. As mentioned by our interviewee, high school students need to focus on developing problem-solving skills, relevant coursework, and gaining practical experience. University students should concentrate on their studies, seek internships, and engage in extracurricular activities. Hackathons and coding boot camps are ideal for building hands-on skills and gaining practical experience. Ideally, it is more than excelling in academia. A proactive approach to gaining relevant skills is the way to succeed. Remember, pursuing an IT career is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep learning, stay curious, and embrace any opportunity for growth and skills development.
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