![]() “The most important thing I recognized that is different with NASA, and perhaps the private sector, is that NASA really values nurturing people who aspire to become future leaders and those who are generally interested in space.” Virtual mentorship across five centers But what I noticed is that NASA really values not just academic experience, but community experience and how involved you are in your school community,” said Tyler. “Having applied to the graduate certificate gave me a boost in my application. Landing his first NASA internshipĪs someone fascinated by space, stars and the moon, Tyler applied to several different National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) internships and only heard back from one that he’d been selected: software engineer at the Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. While looking for internships, he completed the prerequisites courses and applied to the graduate certificate for autumn 2020. A few of his friends working at Microsoft and Amazon gave him some advice: find an internship your very first summer.īeing new to tech with barely a few prerequisites courses complete, Tyler didn’t think that advice was going to work. Tyler recognized that he was making the switch in the greater Seattle area and felt fortunate that this area is so tech responsive. He knew the industry was competitive and felt like he was one of many jumping into tech, but even though the barrier to entry was high he knew the tech industry had a lot to offer. Being new to tech and starting at zero, Tyler fought through the anxiety of doing something new. In his exploration of programs, he found the nine-month Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development with a pathway for admission into a master’s program.īefore Tyler could apply, he had to complete a few prerequisite courses in programming I, programming II and college-level calculus at a local community college. Having a brother and father working in the field of computer science gave Tyler the knowledge that it would be a tough switch, but the confidence that he could do it. “Of course, I was riddled with anxiety and doubt because doing anything like that is very scary.” Support network to make the switch ![]() “I thought, maybe if I’m going to make a career switch and jump into tech that now might be the time to do so,” said Tyler. While working in finance Tyler became aware of how technology was shaping our future society. He started to ask himself big life questions: Is this something I want to do? Am I being pressured down this path?Īfter realizing he wasn’t committed to law school Tyler went to work as a financial advisor for a few years while figuring out his next step. Tyler Choi was studying political science and economics to prepare for law school, but as graduation neared, he wasn’t sure if this was the right path. By: Lacey Arnold (photographs provided by Tyler Choi)
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