An Interview with Computer Scientists at Barnard College and Columbia University
In 2013, Barnard College had four students majoring in Computer Science through Columbia’s CS program. In 2019, Barnard began its own CS Department and currently has more than 100 declared majors in the field and continues to grow. Coming into the institution with absolutely no computer science experience, I decided to take my first coding course in order to fulfill the Thinking Technologically & Digitally Requirement for the Foundations curriculum. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I would be exposed to one of the biggest CS programs in the country and become a part of one of the most amazing communities in the university. Rather than retelling my story and journey about majoring in CS (which you can find on the Bold Beautiful Barnard blog here), I asked CS majors across all the four undergraduate schools what their story was and some advice they can provide. Here is what they said:
Descriptions of Students:
Rachel Halpern, Barnard ‘22 Major: Computer Science
Rhea Kothari, CC ‘22 Major: Computer Science with Psychology Concentration
Chianna Cohen, CC ‘22 Major: Computer Science & East Asian Studies
Fatima Azimova, Barnard ‘23 Major: Computer Science
Nazaret Cuadros, Barnard ‘23 Major: Computer Science & Minor: Latin American Studies
Aisha Mann, Barnard ‘23 Major: Computer Science with Minor in East Asian Studies
Hana Memon, Barnard ‘24 Major: Computer Science (Applications Track)
Lindsey Yang, CC ‘24 Major: Computer Science
Q: Why are you majoring in Computer Science?
Lindsey Yang: “I’m majoring in CS because I enjoy solving problems using code, even though the process can be very frustrating sometimes!”
Rhea Kothari: “Studying Computer Science is a great way to stay at the forefront of any field of study you are passionate about. This is the main reason why I wanted to study Computer Science when I came to college - I wanted to find an area of interest while also gaining the skills to make real contributions in that field.”
Q: How did you get interested in Computer Science?
RK: “I started studying Computer Science my first semester of freshman year. I had no idea what I wanted to do after I graduated, and my dad who works in technology encouraged me to try a coding class, and I decided to give it a try. While I was skeptical at first, I grew to appreciate the unique and challenging nature of problem solving in Computer Science. What I liked the most, and still do, is the exciting applications of Computer Science in so many different areas. I am also doing a psychology concentration because I care a lot about mental health, so I want to utilize my CS background to make an impact in that area.”
Hana Memon: “Programming gave me a platform to express my ideas in a logical, yet creative manner -- it was captivating. I had always loved the freedom that I felt with a paintbrush in my hand, and coding gave me a similar rush of artistic inspiration. In the Summer of 2018, I joined Kode with Klossy, a coding camp for like-minded women in Philadelphia. Over the summer, for 8 hours a day, I learned about web development. I came away from the experience with life-long friends, and more importantly, the understanding that technology could be used to promote social welfare. In the years since then, every technical project that I have undertaken has combined my love for coding with my determination to make the world a better place. When coming to college, I chose to major in CS to continue building impactful projects.”
Q: What is some advice you would give to anyone who is starting out in CS or is hesitating to take a CS class?
Aisha Mann: “I was told a few years ago by the first female software engineer I met that your college years in CS are all about perseverance and pushing through. She told me that there won’t be a day in CS where it’s not hard and you need to have a headstrong mindset. I kept this in mind going into classes and realized what she said was really true. You are not alone so find people who are like you, find that community and stick together —whether it be for pulling all-nighters or just ranting to each other. It really does make you feel like a team.”
Rachel Halpern: “Computer science has a steep learning curve, you’re starting from scratch essentially and can’t really cut corners. But I found that once I got past that initial discomfort, things started to get interesting and rewarding. I started computer science my sophomore year and for a while I felt like I was behind. You may feel behind too. Think of it as an opportunity and not as a setback. You have the opportunity to study with and learn from some of the smartest people. I found that once I shifted my mindset, I felt a lot better about my studies.”
HM: “Have fun with it! Make something that you’d want to show off to your friends and family! One of my favorite projects I’ve built with my friends is a fairy comment generator.”
Nazaret Cuadros: “I would have given up with my major a long time ago if I didn't have the support of others. It was so hard for me starting out with almost no experience in formal computer science education, but it is a learning curve for everyone, and it is unfair to compare your skills as a beginner to those with experience, which usually happens in intro CS classes.”
Q: How do you overcome any obstacles you have faced while majoring in a STEM field?
LY: “One thing I’ve struggled with (and still deal with) is impostor syndrome. Because I got started on CS a little later than many of my peers, I sometimes feel like there’s no way I can catch up, especially when it comes to getting internships and things like that. Also, as a woman in a male-dominated field, it often feels as though I don’t belong simply because of my gender. I think this is a universal experience, and I don’t honestly have a good answer for how to deal with it. However, the important thing for me is to remember that I’m still learning and growing, and eventually, I will have carved out the place I deserve in the CS field.”
Chianna Cohen: “I think the biggest thing for me has been about mentorship. I often have doubts about my abilities or feel like I can be lost in the larger lecture classes, but it's really helped me to find mentors and community at Barnard and Columbia through places like WiCS or the 1004 teaching staff! I also have had a great experience finding mentors in the city through Build By Girls who have provided a lot of advice about being a woman in the industry!”
Fatima Azimova: “There are many things that come up along your journey. One of the things to always remember is why you are doing this. What helped me overcome the obstacles that I have faced is my friends and family. Their support and love always helped me to continue moving on.”