Back to Academia: Television Production to Computer Science
So how does one go from the trenches of the humanities to a pure STEM field? Was it easy? Nope. Did it happen overnight? Nope. Is the U.S. system set up for these crazy transitions? Ha.
However, I was a Producer. And as a producer, I had a made career out of coming up with “impossible” big-picture ideas and goals, mapping out actionable plans and the logistics required to achieve those goals, (having a bit of faith!), and then making it happen.
And with that, I set to work “producing” my dream of contributing at a foundational level to the very NASA missions that have inspired generations. First step? Going back to school.
University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
Master of Science ‘22 / Computer Science
Program Website: UCLA Computer Science
Computer Science Coursework:
· Artificial Intelligence & Automated Reasoning
· High-Performance Computing
· Programming Languages, including Quantum Computing languages
Earth & Planetary Sciences Coursework:
· Intro to Remote Sensing
· Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (i.e. gathering and processing data from the Green Bank Telescope)
UCLA Extension Student /
12 Courses in Mathematics, 2016-2018
Program Website: UCLA Mathematics
Completed Coursework:
· Single & Multivariable Calculus
· Linear Algebra (rigorous) & Differential Equations
· Probability Theory (Calc-based) and Statistics
· Real Analysis (rigorous)
· Mathematical Modeling
Santa Monica College (SMC)
Associate of Science ‘19 / Computer Science
Graduated with High Honors
Program Website: SMC Computer Science
University of Southern California (USC)
Bachelor of Arts ‘07 / Film and Television Production
Graduated Cum Laude from the #1 Film School in the Country
Program Website: USC Cinema
Major Projects: Produced Two Graduate-Level Thesis Projects; Envisioned and Produced a 500-person, $10,000 budget Student Film Festival
Major Coursework: Scripted Video Production, Documentary Production, Screenwriting, Editing, Sound Recording, Sound Design, Film Theory
Elective Coursework: Psychology (multiple classes), CS 101
Moderating a Panel Discussion for UCLA’s GradSWE (Graduate Society of Women Engineers)