Appetizers

Starting with some basics.

 Fun Starters

Getting to know the human side.

 Main Course

A quick deep dive into the day-to-day student life.

Tell us about yourself and what you're studying.

I'm a second-year Master's student, studying Computer Science and specializing in Interactive Intelligence. This field looks at how Computer Science and technology can be used to interact with humans in various ways, such as in education, healthcare, scientific research, and more! Personally, I am focusing on how technology can be used to impact education and make it more accessible.

How did you end up in your field? What do you like about it?

The Cognitive Science program at UCSD required Computer Science classes, and I really enjoyed them! I really liked the problem-solving aspect of code, and I decided to keep studying it in a graduate program.

What classes are you taking right now? Which is your favorite and why?

Right now I'm taking a machine learning course, which is actually the only course I'm taking this semester because I'm almost done with my program! But my favorite class I've taken during my master's was probably my AI Ethics class. It was so refreshing to focus on the downsides and potential harms of AI and technology instead of the positives and innovation that dominate conversation today.

Let's say the school day just started, what's a typical morning look like?

I wake up at either 7 or 9 depending on if I have a morning class, and I immediately make coffee and eat breakfast. Coffee is a necessity for me to be able to focus on the day. Before COVID, I would run to catch the bus to campus, but nowadays I just take a seat at my desk and settle in.

Cool, then what does a typical afternoon look like?

Afternoons are usually when my classes are over, so I relax a little before starting work. The work I have to do might be homework, or research, or development for whatever project I'm currently working on. This part of the day might also include meetings with faculty or researchers to go over any studies or collaborations we're working on at our lab.

How are your classes/exams and how do you keep up? How many hours per week do you spend studying or doing assignments?

The first year was definitely more intense than the second. I jam-packed my schedule because I was trying to complete all my required courses in one year, and this made my days extremely long and without much sleep. But after adjusting my schedule, life was a lot more balanced!

There aren't too many exams in my program because most classes are project-based, and it was relatively easy to keep up because the classes would structure in periodic deadlines to keep us on track. I'd say on average the time spent would be about the same as a 40-hour workweek.

 Dessert

Now for some juicy insights in the tea room.

What's the most challenging thing about your grad program?

My program, like most graduate programs, is full of people of all ages and backgrounds, and this made it hard to meet people and stay in the loop with what was happening around the school and the department. The hardest part was definitely establishing my first connections to my peers and professors so that I could become a part of the community and learn more from all the cool stuff everyone is doing.

What are some characteristics that help someone succeed in your grad program specifically?

If you are a driven and social person, you would definitely do well. Although the work and the technical skills are very important, making connections and discussing ideas and opportunities with others definitely gives you more support as you go through the program.

Any advice on how to stand out and get into your grad program for those just starting off?

I don't have any insight on what the admissions office considered when looking at my application, but the parts that I worked hardest on were definitely the essays and getting meaningful letters of recommendation from professors and advisors that I worked closely with and knew me well.

I took the time to ask my professors what they thought about my choice to go to grad school and to apply to this program, and hearing those answers really helped me answer the essay questions on the application.

What's something that surprised you about grad school?

There truly is a HUGE range of backgrounds and levels of experience among the people in my program. Some were fresh college grads like me, but so many of my classmates were working professionals or people looking for a career change. It was really exciting to see the diversity amongst the group, and it made me appreciate the value of this degree beyond being the logical "next step" for me and my career.

Any last thoughts, advice, or recommendations for someone who wants to get into your grad program?

Enjoy it! It truly is a great learning experience not just because you're in school and in classes but because there are so many great resources available to you through the program, the campus, and the city to enjoy and explore.

Drinks

Chat more over coffee or tea?