Adela Alcazar is a recent graduate from UC Davis currently working at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory who knows the value of computer science. As a first generation student, she understands how difficult it can be to navigate the world of CS and hopes to help other high school students get started on their CS journey.

When were you first introduced to computer science? What piqued your interest?

Adela Alcazar: I was first introduced to computer science in my junior year of high school, in an elective course called Engineer Your World where we did a short section on programming. I’d always wanted to go into a science field, and considered being a scientist before I knew what engineering was. I was not particularly interested in only learning and discovering how things work. Through that course, I learned more about the creative, problem-solving nature of engineering and also CS, and grew more and more interested in what a career in that field could be.

Were there any obstacles as you started your CS journey? If so, how did you overcome them?

Adela Alcazar: The high school I went to was in a rural community and there weren't many courses offered simply due to the lack of demand or teachers available. The first year Engineer Your World was offered was 2017, and we had to share laptops that the school provided. However, we couldn’t take those home, which meant that I often had to use my family’s old computer that frequently crashed or froze. That was definitely challenging alongside being a first generation student who was navigating learning subjects like CS and applying to college with limited support and resources.

Were there any people who were helpful or particularly influential in your journey to learning CS?

Adela Alcazar: I have to thank Janet Brownell. She was the Engineer Your World teacher and did a fantastic job fostering my curiosity in engineering and programming. I was always interested in STEM, but the classroom experience that Janet provided pushed me to want to learn more. Thanks to her, I had my first introduction to engineering and soon after, computer science once I started college.

What did pursuing CS look like once you got to college?

Adela Alcazar: I started college as an aerospace engineering major, and double-majored in mechanical engineering. After taking a MATLAB course my freshmen year, I really enjoyed the programming side of engineering and continued to pursue that interest through school clubs and projects. At the time, I was simply doing what I loved, but I didn’t realize how influential computer science would be in landing my current job.

Can you share a bit more about your current job? What have you been up to since graduating?

Adela Alcazar: Shortly before graduating, I was hired by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory thanks to the CS skills I developed alongside my dual majors. Currently, part of my role includes using programming languages like Python or MATLAB to solve engineering problems.

What do you see as the value of computer science for all students?

Adela Alcazar: It’s very important for students to start learning these skills from a young age. Everything relies on computers. Everything has some sort of computer science aspect tied to it, and technology continues to move at a very fast pace. So we need students to be up to speed and knowledgeable about computer science because it will be tied into almost every job out there.

What advice would you give to someone who's interested in CS but nervous to try something new?

Adela Alcazar: Just go for it. It's not going to hurt anything to try and it’s never too late to learn. When I started college, a lot of students had already taken multiple computer science courses and I couldn’t help feeling like I was behind. But you're only going to be behind if you don't start. If you’re interested, I say go for it!