Carlos_A_Perez_banner.png

Catalina-150x150.jpg

  • Major

    Computer Science (CS)

  • Minor

    DanceSport

  • Career Goals

    I first began my computing journey in the program GUTSyGirls in my late elementary years. I love learning and how the GUTSyGirls program presented the material in a way that it was fun to learn and apply in an all-girl environment. From block programming, Makey-Makeys, and Pico cricket, to more complex programming structures, we were able to have a taste of computer science. This experience taught me that computer science has multiple applications from running software on computers to more tangible outcomes. I absolutely loved the hands-on learning and that is why I wanted to continue on the path of computer science. I want to specialize in white-hat hacking. This means that I would attempt to gain access to secure files and servers to show security flaws to an employer’s company. White-hat hacking helps keep companies secure by staying a step ahead of the real criminals. Cybersecurity plays a role in bettering the world and goes a long way in protecting people’s privacy. White-hat hackers serve as the first line of defense in protecting data that prevents identity theft.

  • S-STEM Program Benefits

    The S-STEM program has given me the opportunity to attend conferences and have access to opportunities I would have previously been unable to access. This has given me the space and support to challenge myself and flourish in a field I love.

  • Scholarships and Recognition

    • IT Business Analyst Intern | Chevron | Summer 2019
      • 12-week paid Business Analyst Internship. Integrate Workplace (Internal Facebook) Content onto Digital Signage and/or Websites for Enterprise Deployment
    • Camp Assistant | Young Women in Computing | Summer 2018
      • Paid computer science internship. Teach 60 high school students computational thinking through facilitating peer-to-peer interactions & individual projects
    • Research Scholar | Air Force Research Laboratory – Universities Space Research Association | Summer 2017   
      • 12-week paid computer science internship. Host mission applications from multiple domains within the ARCADE & SIL environments to improve workflow while also being able to access real-time satellite location simulation data
    • Found, Develop, Coordinate & Manage, Future ITGirls Program, 2017- Present
      • Develop & implement a curriculum with ballroom dance, programming, & research projects to teach computational thinking to 50 Latinx girls at Sonoma Elementary
    • Programmer | FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1164 | Seasons 2016-2017
      • Only programmer on the team. Programmed Arcade & Tank drive systems while maintaining various sensor input to create a human interaction model for maximum autonomous points