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Your Path to Tech event introduces new students to computer science, information sciences and technology

Teresa Donnellan — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:05:34 +0000

Your Path to Tech event introduces new students to computer science, information sciences and technology Teresa Donnellan Mon, 08/28/2023 - 12:05

Last Friday, students new to the College of Engineering and Computing gathered in the Corner Pocket, a space in the Hub to attend Your Path to Tech, a daylong event hosted by Break Through Tech Mason. The event welcomed students new to the College of Engineering and Computing, especially women, interested in exploring computer science (CS) and information sciences and technology (IST). Students heard from accomplished speakers, practiced skills in hands-on workshops, and connected with both academic advisors and peer mentors.

Missy Cummings, one of the nation’s first female fighter pilots, former advisor for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and current ��AV professor and director of the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center, gave a keynote address. Afterward, attendees heard from a panel of women with ample tech industry experience and a panel of Mason alumni now working in the field.

“All of their stories were so empowering,” said Pallavi Vegesna, who is starting a Master’s in Data Analytics Engineering this fall. She was inspired by the speakers’ unique paths to working in tech: One panelist majored in psychology before working for the CIA; two others immigrated to the U.S. to pursue their American Dreams.

“It made me emotional because I'm here today as a grad student. And I hope to ... make it like they've made it,” said Vegesna. “They worked really, really hard to be where they are today, and looking at them gives me reassurance that women can make it in tech—and women can make it really, really big in tech.”

“Looking at them gives me reassurance that women can make it in tech—and women can make it really, really big in tech.” —Pallavi Vegesna

Students received hands-on experience through workshops like “A Hands-On Introduction to the AI Pipeline,” led by assistant CS professor Antonis Anastasopoulos, and “Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Analytics,” led by associate IST professor Humaira Akhtari and Mason alumnus Elijah Bass. The event also offered attendees the chance to talk to CS and IST advisors and be matched with a peer mentor to help them navigate their studies at Mason.

“A Hands-On Introduction to the AI Pipeline,” led by assistant CS professor Antonis Anastasopoulos (Right), and “Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Analytics,” led by associate IST professor Humaira Akhtari and Mason alumnus Elijah Bass (Left)

“Students had a blast listening to our awesome speakers and being a part of those hands-on workshops – those were big hits!” said Shahnaz Kamberi, an associate professor of CS as well as the event’s organizer. She looks forward to the success of the Pathfindher mentorship program, which teamed upperclassmen with freshmen and transfer students who attended Your Path to Tech. “The mentor-mentee pairs were still in deep conversation even after we wrapped up and closed the venue,” she said.

“I hope the attendees learned a lot from the event,” Kamberi added. “The main takeaway I hope they gained is confidence in their decision to stick with tech. I hope through hearing from these powerful women in the industry, the students learned that even with obstacles and challenges, they can definitely succeed in their path to tech.”

Break Through Tech Headlines

Tech industry professionals describe “A Day in the Life”
March 25, 2024
Student Commencement speaker Shruti Sekar is destined to succeed, helping others along the way
December 14, 2023
Your Path to Tech event introduces new students to computer science, information sciences and technology
August 28, 2023
Break Through Tech Sprinterns collaborate, build community during micro-internships
February 13, 2023
Mason group relishes conference for women in tech
October 6, 2022

See how Mason is building the computing workforce

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Explore the School of Computing

In This Story

Shahnaz Kamberi

Antonios Anastasopoulos

Missy Cummings

Topics

computer science

information sciences and technology

Computer Science faculty

Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)

Students

Strategic Direction

Break Through Tech Sprinterns collaborate, build community during micro-internships

Teresa Donnellan — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 19:29:55 +0000

Break Through Tech Sprinterns collaborate, build community during micro-internships Teresa Donnellan Mon, 02/13/2023 - 14:29

During winter break, fifty-three George Mason students participated in three-week micro-internships via Break Through Tech DC’s Sprinternship program. Assigned to one of thirteen partner companies, each student worked on an assigned project and presented findings to supervisors. Partner companies included American Express, Bechtel Corporation, Booz Allen Hamilton, Commvault, Crown Castle, KPMG, Mastercard, Microsoft, Ticketmaster, and Verizon.

Sprinterns were able to glimpse the professional tech world, not only experiencing what it might be like to work at their assigned company but also hearing from professionals in various roles, allowing them to consider different tech and tech-adjacent roles. Three themes emerged from a survey of Mason’s 2023 Sprinterns: collaboration, collegiality, and community.

Collaboration is key.

Most Sprinterns remarked on the difference between individual classwork and the collaborative nature of professional work.

“I've never had like a collaborative project in a computer science class before,” said Wijdane Mifdal, a Sprintern at Crown Castle. “You know, they always like tell you all of your work is individual [in class].”

Part of collaborating is figuring out who’s doing which tasks. Grace Ollivant, a Sprintern at Booz Allen Hamilton, served as project manager for her ten-person team. She explained, “They were kind of letting us direct the project ourselves; so we had a few people on the engineering team, a few people on government, and a few people on operations.”

At the end of their micro-internships, each Sprintern group presented to upper-level management on their assigned project. Mifdal recalls the CEO of Crown Castle particularly complimenting her group’s smooth presentation. “He loved how we collaborated together,” she said, "It just went so perfectly, and then he himself told us to apply for summer [internships]. It was really cool.”

Collegiality is welcome.

Sprinterns were pleased by the friendliness and respect with which employees at their host companies approached them. Employees at each partner company helped Sprinterns approach and complete their projects. Davina Lim, a Sprintern at MasterCard, said, “They helped us a lot in the project. They were very open and let us ask them questions whenever we needed help.”

Such mentorship is crucial to the Sprintern experience. In addition to project guidance, most Sprinterns were able to hear from professionals in various roles throughout their assigned companies. Lim was able to attend information sessions with employees working in cybersecurity, data science, and product management. “It was good learning more about what they actually do,” she said.

Mifdal warmly remembers her supervisor at Crown Castle, who set up informational interviews for each Sprintern according to her interests. She was especially intrigued to learn about the different roles available for a software engineer, such as architecture designers working at the macro-level of a software project.

Moreover, several Sprinterns commented that their temporary colleagues were much less intimidating than a nervous student might imagine. Lim noted, “I was expecting it to be a little stricter, and I was a little intimidated at first. But everyone was really nice.” Mifdal said, “I wasn't expecting such a warm welcome like that.”

Community is built.

A sense of belonging in the tech industry is especially valuable for underrepresented students in computing. Collaboration and collegiality in the Sprinterns’ experiences fostered a strong sense of community among the Sprinterns, who were able to network with peers and professionals alike.

Topics

women in computing

Students

Break Through Tech Guild application goes live Friday

Rena Malai — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 13:29:44 +0000

Break Through Tech Guild application goes live Friday Rena Malai Thu, 03/10/2022 - 08:29

Break Through Tech DC at ��AV will be accepting applications starting Friday for its Guild program, which runs from June 6 to June 10.

Students from underrepresented communities who are curious about technology are welcomed and encouraged to apply. They will receive a stipend for participating in the Guild program.

To apply and for more information, visit the Mason Guild program page on the Break Through Tech DC website.

The Break Through Tech Guild program is open to all students with a focus on women and nonbinary individuals who are first and second year students at Mason. Students can be enrolled in any major or minor. No prior experience is required to apply for Guild.

Topics

internships

Mercadi Crawford shows diverse students the STEM way forward

Rena Malai — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:36:39 +0000

Mercadi Crawford shows diverse students the STEM way forward Rena Malai Fri, 01/21/2022 - 15:36

As a child growing up in Texas, Mercadi Crawford, Break Through Tech diversity associate in the College of Engineering and Computing at ��AV, loved taking things apart.

“I liked to see how things like the telephone and different toys I had worked from the inside out,” says Crawford. “No one realized at the time that it was the beginning of an interest in engineering.”

Although Crawford chose a different major in college, she says a STEM education may have been a path forward for her, had she known during her grade school and high school days that it was not only an option, but something she had an aptitude for.

“I think there were misconceptions when I was in school about STEM,” says Crawford. “It wasn’t seen as an area for women or those from underrepresented communities. You had to be really good in math and the best in science. But that isn’t always the case.”

In her role with the Office of Diversity, Outreach and Inclusive Learning, Crawford says it’s very important to her that no matter who they are or where they come from, all Break Through Tech students at Mason can see themselves in STEM. She adds that a STEM career can be perfectly attainable today with the right education, resources, and support, such as the opportunities that Break Through Tech offers.

“When I work with students, and they tell me they never considered STEM before because of various reasons, I make sure they know it can be an option for them,” says Crawford. “Through joining a group like Break Through Tech, they can be comfortable knowing they will have support and they will see others like them as they navigate their education and, later, job opportunities.”

She says in the coming months, she’s excited to spread awareness about Break Through Tech and growing the network, so that students are kept up to speed on opportunities such as Sprinternships, the annual Grace Hopper conference, and networking events.

“Technology is ever growing and it continuously changes. There is a seat at the table for everybody,” says Crawford.

Topics

diversity

School of Computing Approved by the State Council of Higher Education

Martha Bushong — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 22:17:33 +0000

School of Computing Approved by the State Council of Higher Education Martha Bushong Wed, 04/28/2021 - 18:17

In This Story

Kenneth Ball

Sanjeev Setia

Earlier this week, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) approved the move to establish the commonwealth’s first-ever school of computing. The formation of a contemporary School of Computing (SoC)—the first in the Commonwealth of Virginia—provides the university with unprecedented opportunities both to establish computing as one of its strategic differentiators and to assume a leadership role in shaping the future of this growing discipline.

The new school will be housed with the existing Volgenau School of Engineering in ��AV’s newly created College of Engineering and Computing.

“Launching the new School of Computing will strengthen Mason’s leadership position in the computing fields in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and will provide a new framework to convene Mason researchers and educators from every academic unit for multidisciplinary collaborations involving computing,” says Dean Ken Ball of the College of Engineering and Computing. “The change also provides a stronger identity for our core SoC departments, elevating our computing brand for prospective students looking to enroll in our majors and for research partners looking to collaborate with us.”

“As technology transforms our world on all levels, I am confident that the School of Computing will provide an important platform for Mason to continue leading in this field throughout the region and across the nation,” says Provost and Executive Vice President Mark Ginsberg. “The new School of Computing is where top researchers will shape the way the we use technology and where Mason students will learn how digital-age tools enrich their lives and careers while enhancing the economic development of our community.”

Three departments, Computer Science, Information Sciences and Technology, and Statistics will relocate from the Volgenau School of Engineering and form the core of the SoC. The change formalizes an academic unit designed to coordinate similar disciplinary areas, related initiatives, research activities, and academic and student services. It will provide a discrete location to house these departments that focus on academic programming and research in computing.

“The creation of the School of Computing presents many exciting opportunities for the faculty,” says Sanjeev Setia, interim divisional dean for the SoC. “The Tech Talent Investment Pipeline [TTIP] funding from the state of Virginia, the creation of the IDIA and expansion of the Arlington Campus, and the growing tech sector in Northern Virginia hastened this effort. We need to seize this opportunity to elevate the quality and reputation of the already fine programs and departments in the SoC.”

The latest figures released by the National Science Foundation (NSF) show Mason’s national profile continues to rise through solid research funding in Computer and Information Sciences, which ranked 12th among all universities, 8th among public institutions and No. 1 in Virginia.

Now that the school is approved, the administration will actively pursue building bridges between the SoC and other colleges/schools on campus both through the creation of multidisciplinary programs and through joint faculty appointments and initiatives such as the ongoing TTIP-thematic faculty hiring initiative.

The school’s leadership will explore the curricula of programs offered by the SoC’s departments and search for ways to increase collaboration, reduce duplication, and in general improve the quality of the programs.

Setia says he wants work with departments in the SoC to create a Broadening Participation in Computing plan for the school and its constituent departments and start the work needed to implement it.

“Computing is everywhere in contemporary society. Our students and faculty have a unique opportunity to discover new and exciting ways to make this discipline relevant to our world,” Setia says.

Topics

Volgenau School of Engineering

Campus News

Mason's Women in Tech Spotlight: Kelly Glebus

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 19:24:53 +0000

Mason's Women in Tech Spotlight: Kelly Glebus Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/15/2021 - 15:24

Senior computer science (CS) major, Honors College student, and aspiring software engineer Kelly Glebus was surprised by how few women were among her peers. Once Glebus reached higher-level CS classes, she says it wasn’t uncommon for her to be one of four or five women in a class of 30 to 40 students.

Kelly Glebus.

When she was a junior in high school, she enrolled in a pre-AP computer programming class as an elective. While the class wasn’t her first choice, she quickly developed an interest in programming and learned that she was adept at problem-solving.

“On the first day and my teacher got out these huge pieces of butcher paper and had us create these “thread” conversations on them,” says Glebus. “We were answering questions like ‘What jobs are we going to lose to computer automation?’, ‘What are ways that computers make our lives easier,’ and things like that. I thought that it was a very interesting way to begin a class, so I stayed in it.”

Her interest in programming did not go unnoticed by her teacher. Glebus says “he encouraged me to continue (and gave me all the extra work I asked for), and I decided that I was going to college for computer science. He really changed my life, and I’m very grateful for him. We’re still in touch today!”

Since then, Glebus has developed into a young professional. She interned at Forward Integration Technologies as a junior software developer, where she worked with Angular and Python to do full-stack web app development. She is currently a cybersecurity intern at Colvin Run Networks doing user interface design amongst other projects.

Some more notable achievements Glebus is proud of was being “a part of the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates held at ��AV in 2018, where I did some research with wearable technologies. I’m also currently a class facilitator for CS395: Student-Initiated Class Introduction into the Internet of Things.”

Given her passion for the field, Glebus encourages other women to try computing. She praised ��AV's Department of Computer Science for being inclusive towards all students.

“I think a lot of super qualified women feel intimidated either by the subject or even by the male-dominated environment,” says Glebus. “Like I said before, computer science is hard, there are classes that you couldn’t pay me to retake, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. I wish more women would take the leap and try it; I think they’d find that they’re really good at it. Like I did.”

On March 3, Mason announced a new initiative, Break Through Tech, that aims to propel more students who identify as women and non-binary into tech education—and ultimately tech careers—through curriculum innovation, career access, and community building. The goal of the grant is to increase the number of these students graduating with a tech degree at Mason by 12.5 percent by 2026.

For more information about Break Through Tech at Mason, visit this site.

Topics

computing

software development

Mason faculty design Break Through Tech Program

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 16:15:32 +0000

Mason faculty design Break Through Tech Program Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/04/2021 - 11:15

Topics

diversity

women in computing