Published: April 29, 2020
Isaiah Jones standing in front of river
Andrea Devore
Israel Miles

Isaiah Jones

Major: Electrical & Computer Engineering ’19 Position: Software Consultant for Blue Horseshoe Solution

Gabe Rodriguez

Isaiah Jones, Electrical and Computer Engineering ’19,Ìęwent on to become a software consultant for Blue Horseshoe Solutions, where he focuses primarily on configuring hardware and software communication and meets regularly with clients for projects. During his senior year, Jones decided he didn’t want to pursue electrical engineering and instead wanted to try something new. “The most valuable thing you’re going to gain from your time as an engineering student is your work ethic,” Jones said. “Being able to put in the work and communicate will get you far.”

Andrea DeVore

Major: Technology, Arts & Media (TAM) ’18 Position: ideaLAB Library Program Associate

Israel Miles

Andrea DeVore, Technology, Arts & Media (TAM) ‘18,Ìęimmediately began work at an internship in the electronics industry. “I was writing Arduino code and designing printed circuit boards,” DeVore said. “However, after working in industry, I realized I missed working more directly with the end consumer. With a broad engineering degree like TAM, I felt torn betweenÌęmany of my different interests (design, electronics, education, computer science). After networking and talking with people in different industries, I eventually realized I wanted to work directly with learners.”

Not only did DeVore find a role that gave her the freedom to work with the very people using her creations, she thoroughly enjoys going to work. “I ultimately ended up in my dream position of running a new makerspace, including managing tools, technology, and programming, as a part of Denver Public Libraries. My new position combines all my interests together, and I get to work with people from all types of different backgrounds every day.”

Even though DeVore can now express her creativity freely, coming from a unique background resulted in unforeseen obstacles to her dream job. “Since TAM is a relativelyÌęnew degree, I struggled to explain my major to people outside of the Boulder community,” said DeVore. “For a brief period, I was looking into jobs out-of-state, and many recruiters and managers were unfamiliar with my major. I also struggled to get past the initial screening stage for many front-end developer and UX/UI type jobs. Many people told me directly that they wanted people with “bootcamp” experience in those particular areas.”

Devore still believes that her degreeÌęis an incredible asset to her career, and is confident that her education gives her flexibility in the ever changing technology field. “Education is rapidly evolving with technology becoming more and more central to its internal fibers,” said DeVore. “I realized my engineering degree allows me to stand out in this rapidly transforming industry."

Israel Miles

Major: Computer Science ’20 Position: PhD Computer Science at Syracuse University

Gabe Rodriguez

Israel Miles, Computer Science ’20,Ìęwill be attending Syracuse University in New York for a PhD in Computer Science upon completing his undergraduate degree. Despite being accepted into graduate school, research is a newfound passion for Israel. “For most of my undergraduate degree I thought I would be going into the startup field or getting a full-time job,” said Miles. “I wasn’t even considering a Master’s degree immediately after my bachelor’s, let alone a PhD.”Ìę

Miles accredits much of his current path to engaging in the McNair Scholars Program, an initiative with the goal of increasing the attainment of PhD degrees from underrepresented segments of society. “I come from a low income first-generation household,” said Miles. “I never thought any of this was within my means, but the McNair Scholars Program gave me the confidence in myÌęown academic ability to conduct research and work with faculty at a higher level."

During his time at CU, Miles also realized the benefits of moving beyond your comfort zone and collaborating with students across the engineering department as a whole. “What’s interesting about computer science at CU is that it’s a very open-ended major,” said Miles. “You can focus more on design and web development if that’s your thing, or you can work cross-disciplinary with other engineering departments or even conduct research with some of the brilliant faculty at CU. My research was with Dr. Stephen Becker in the Applied Math department. I had previously taken classes with him, and he had agreed to be my McNair faculty mentor. It really opened my eyes to how collaborative and supportive this campus really is.”Ìę

Miles offers advice to students trying to find their path after an undergraduate degree. “Take action in deciding what you want to do with your life,” said Miles.Ìę“Schedule aside time to think, hike, meditate, whatever it takes to realize where your passions are and what you want from life. Simply putting hours and hours into classes and studying will not illuminate your life path. You need to find what makes you curious, what makes you want to ask more questions, that is what will ultimately make you feel alive.”

Issue: Spring 2020