In 2009, I went to my undergraduate school at the University of Vermont. There, I got a bachelor’s degree in middle level education with a concentration in mathematics and social studies. I taught middle school mathematics for two years, and then worked in adult education for five years.
In 2020, I was working at Dealer.com, a company that creates, maintains, and manages car dealership websites. They also provide digital retailing options, managed services, etc. I did tech support in a call center for them, and I really enjoyed the work, but I wanted to get into the programming side of things.
In my junior year of my undergraduate studies, I had considered changing my major to mechanical engineering or computer science. However, I was too far along in my program and would’ve had to stay another year. I wanted to graduate on time, so I finished my education degree. In 2019, I was feeling the need for a change for a variety of reasons, and it seemed like a good opportunity to give a tech career a try. I got a job working at Dealer.com for a year, and I enjoyed it. Then I decided I wanted to accelerate my path and looked into Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
The Align program provided an opportunity to take my career in a new direction. One of the unique aspects of Align is that the bridge courses are built into the program. This guarantees enrollment in the MSCS program upon completion (assuming all bridge courses are passed with an acceptable grade). Also, because they are part of the program, financial aid can also be applied to them. This significantly reduces the risk and financial barrier to the program. Many other Boston area programs I looked at would have required me to take the “bridge” type courses myself, and there would still be no guarantee I would be accepted into the program. I also had a great experience with Northeastern University’s admissions department. The counselor I had was very kind and helpful. I felt valued as a person, rather than just another number. This was a significant part of why I chose Northeastern and the Align program.
The Align bridge courses are challenging at times, but they do what they are designed to do. The fast pace of the courses is mainly what makes them difficult, but I was in the same boat as most of my cohort, so we struggled and succeeded together. That being said, by the end of the bridge I knew enough to perform along with normal-entry master’s students. One of the nice pieces about the bridge courses is that you see the same folks from your cohort over and over and start to get to know them. This group becomes a lifeline when going out into the full MSCS classes. Being able to continue to help each other academically and mentally is a great benefit.
Regarding the future, I will be starting a co-op at TJX in July this year. I’m currently interested in working in robotics or aerospace. For many years now I have been interested in space and NASA. I would like the opportunity to work for a NASA contractor or even NASA itself someday.
In 2009, I went to my undergraduate school at the University of Vermont. There, I got a bachelor’s degree in middle level education with a concentration in mathematics and social studies. I taught middle school mathematics for two years, and then worked in adult education for five years.
In 2020, I was working at Dealer.com, a company that creates, maintains, and manages car dealership websites. They also provide digital retailing options, managed services, etc. I did tech support in a call center for them, and I really enjoyed the work, but I wanted to get into the programming side of things.
In my junior year of my undergraduate studies, I had considered changing my major to mechanical engineering or computer science. However, I was too far along in my program and would’ve had to stay another year. I wanted to graduate on time, so I finished my education degree. In 2019, I was feeling the need for a change for a variety of reasons, and it seemed like a good opportunity to give a tech career a try. I got a job working at Dealer.com for a year, and I enjoyed it. Then I decided I wanted to accelerate my path and looked into Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
The Align program provided an opportunity to take my career in a new direction. One of the unique aspects of Align is that the bridge courses are built into the program. This guarantees enrollment in the MSCS program upon completion (assuming all bridge courses are passed with an acceptable grade). Also, because they are part of the program, financial aid can also be applied to them. This significantly reduces the risk and financial barrier to the program. Many other Boston area programs I looked at would have required me to take the “bridge” type courses myself, and there would still be no guarantee I would be accepted into the program. I also had a great experience with Northeastern University’s admissions department. The counselor I had was very kind and helpful. I felt valued as a person, rather than just another number. This was a significant part of why I chose Northeastern and the Align program.
The Align bridge courses are challenging at times, but they do what they are designed to do. The fast pace of the courses is mainly what makes them difficult, but I was in the same boat as most of my cohort, so we struggled and succeeded together. That being said, by the end of the bridge I knew enough to perform along with normal-entry master’s students. One of the nice pieces about the bridge courses is that you see the same folks from your cohort over and over and start to get to know them. This group becomes a lifeline when going out into the full MSCS classes. Being able to continue to help each other academically and mentally is a great benefit.
Regarding the future, I will be starting a co-op at TJX in July this year. I’m currently interested in working in robotics or aerospace. For many years now I have been interested in space and NASA. I would like the opportunity to work for a NASA contractor or even NASA itself someday.
In 2009, I went to my undergraduate school at the University of Vermont. There, I got a bachelor’s degree in middle level education with a concentration in mathematics and social studies. I taught middle school mathematics for two years, and then worked in adult education for five years.
In 2020, I was working at Dealer.com, a company that creates, maintains, and manages car dealership websites. They also provide digital retailing options, managed services, etc. I did tech support in a call center for them, and I really enjoyed the work, but I wanted to get into the programming side of things.
In my junior year of my undergraduate studies, I had considered changing my major to mechanical engineering or computer science. However, I was too far along in my program and would’ve had to stay another year. I wanted to graduate on time, so I finished my education degree. In 2019, I was feeling the need for a change for a variety of reasons, and it seemed like a good opportunity to give a tech career a try. I got a job working at Dealer.com for a year, and I enjoyed it. Then I decided I wanted to accelerate my path and looked into Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
The Align program provided an opportunity to take my career in a new direction. One of the unique aspects of Align is that the bridge courses are built into the program. This guarantees enrollment in the MSCS program upon completion (assuming all bridge courses are passed with an acceptable grade). Also, because they are part of the program, financial aid can also be applied to them. This significantly reduces the risk and financial barrier to the program. Many other Boston area programs I looked at would have required me to take the “bridge” type courses myself, and there would still be no guarantee I would be accepted into the program. I also had a great experience with Northeastern University’s admissions department. The counselor I had was very kind and helpful. I felt valued as a person, rather than just another number. This was a significant part of why I chose Northeastern and the Align program.
The Align bridge courses are challenging at times, but they do what they are designed to do. The fast pace of the courses is mainly what makes them difficult, but I was in the same boat as most of my cohort, so we struggled and succeeded together. That being said, by the end of the bridge I knew enough to perform along with normal-entry master’s students. One of the nice pieces about the bridge courses is that you see the same folks from your cohort over and over and start to get to know them. This group becomes a lifeline when going out into the full MSCS classes. Being able to continue to help each other academically and mentally is a great benefit.
Regarding the future, I will be starting a co-op at TJX in July this year. I’m currently interested in working in robotics or aerospace. For many years now I have been interested in space and NASA. I would like the opportunity to work for a NASA contractor or even NASA itself someday.
In 2009, I went to my undergraduate school at the University of Vermont. There, I got a bachelor’s degree in middle level education with a concentration in mathematics and social studies. I taught middle school mathematics for two years, and then worked in adult education for five years.
In 2020, I was working at Dealer.com, a company that creates, maintains, and manages car dealership websites. They also provide digital retailing options, managed services, etc. I did tech support in a call center for them, and I really enjoyed the work, but I wanted to get into the programming side of things.
In my junior year of my undergraduate studies, I had considered changing my major to mechanical engineering or computer science. However, I was too far along in my program and would’ve had to stay another year. I wanted to graduate on time, so I finished my education degree. In 2019, I was feeling the need for a change for a variety of reasons, and it seemed like a good opportunity to give a tech career a try. I got a job working at Dealer.com for a year, and I enjoyed it. Then I decided I wanted to accelerate my path and looked into Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
The Align program provided an opportunity to take my career in a new direction. One of the unique aspects of Align is that the bridge courses are built into the program. This guarantees enrollment in the MSCS program upon completion (assuming all bridge courses are passed with an acceptable grade). Also, because they are part of the program, financial aid can also be applied to them. This significantly reduces the risk and financial barrier to the program. Many other Boston area programs I looked at would have required me to take the “bridge” type courses myself, and there would still be no guarantee I would be accepted into the program. I also had a great experience with Northeastern University’s admissions department. The counselor I had was very kind and helpful. I felt valued as a person, rather than just another number. This was a significant part of why I chose Northeastern and the Align program.
The Align bridge courses are challenging at times, but they do what they are designed to do. The fast pace of the courses is mainly what makes them difficult, but I was in the same boat as most of my cohort, so we struggled and succeeded together. That being said, by the end of the bridge I knew enough to perform along with normal-entry master’s students. One of the nice pieces about the bridge courses is that you see the same folks from your cohort over and over and start to get to know them. This group becomes a lifeline when going out into the full MSCS classes. Being able to continue to help each other academically and mentally is a great benefit.
Regarding the future, I will be starting a co-op at TJX in July this year. I’m currently interested in working in robotics or aerospace. For many years now I have been interested in space and NASA. I would like the opportunity to work for a NASA contractor or even NASA itself someday.