Chapters

• 0:00 Who is Jessica Theodore?

• 1:34 Theodore's interests in high school

• 2:18 How Quinnipiac came into the picture

• 3:12 Background of the computer science programs

• 4:27 Background on cybersecurity graduate program

• 5:05 Theodore's experience interning at PSE&G

• 5:59 Theodore's experience as a Resident Assistant at Quinnipiac

• 7:11 How all of Theodore's experiences have prepared her for life after graduation

Transcript

Joel Vanner: Welcome to “Who Are You?” the Bobcats you know, the stories you don't. I'm your host, Joel Vanner, inside the Podcast Studio at Quinnipiac University's School of Communications. I'm joined today by my guest, Jess Theodore. Jess, welcome to the show.

Jess Theodore: Hello. I'm happy to be here.

Joel Vanner: I'm sure you could guess by the name of the program what my first question to you is going to be. And that is: Who are you?

Jess Theodore: Hi, I'm Jess Theodore. I'm currently a senior in the 3+1 computer cybersecurity program here. I have a minor in Artificial Intelligence and Game Design Development. This is my second year being an RA, and I'm also a research assistant in the School of Computing & Engineering.

Joel Vanner: A lot there on Jess's resume from your experience so far here at Quinnipiac. But take me back. How did you become interested in these fields? What was it like growing up? What were you involved in?

Jess Theodore: I was very influenced by my parents. My dad immigrated here when he was 10 to Queens, and my mom immigrated here when she was 26 from India to continue her career because she has a master's in computer science. Growing up, she was a software developer and a facilities manager, so I was always surrounded by computers and her working all the time. My dad was also an airplane mechanic for the US Navy, so he's always very technical and always thinking about stuff like that.

Joel Vanner: Do you have your idols, your parents, at home. In high school, did you take advantage of computer-related activities? What did you do in high school?

Jess Theodore: I took a few AP computer science courses, but I found myself with computers in organizations and clubs at my high school. I worked as the liaison for the Board of Education in my district and worked as the voice for students in these clubs and organizations to our Board of Ed, just so I could help them with funding and getting sponsorships. That's what led me to also be on the robotics team in my high school, where I worked on the business team and helped them with sponsorships and getting funding.

Joel Vanner: Those are two pretty big opportunities—serving as the liaison of the Board of Education and speaking on behalf of the students. There had to be a lot of pressure on you.

Jess Theodore: It was, but I knew that my friends were always there to support me, and I was working for them as well.

Joel Vanner: Thinking about life after high school and looking at colleges, how did Quinnipiac pop up on your radar?

Jess Theodore: It popped up on my radar because of the 3+1 program. I knew that I wanted to go to grad school and that it would be in my best interest, but I didn't want to spend all my early 20s in grad school or pay for that for years.

Joel Vanner: It doesn't sound...

Jess Theodore: No.

Joel Vanner: No, it doesn't sound good.

Jess Theodore: I like school, but I didn't want to be there forever, and Quinnipiac was one of the only schools that offered that.

Joel Vanner: Tell me more about the 3+1 program and how it helps you get two degrees.

Jess Theodore: Essentially, in your first three years, you take a few extra credits or classes every semester. You can take classes in the summer as well as over January, and you basically stack your credits every semester so you can finish early, and grad school is only one year after.

Joel Vanner: And your undergraduate degree is in computer science.

Jess Theodore: Yes.

Joel Vanner: That sounds broad. Tell me more about the program and the type of courses that you took there.

Jess Theodore: When I first started off freshman and sophomore year, it was a lot of data structures and algorithms classes, as well as a lot of math classes—and I'm not the biggest math fan.

Joel Vanner: We can relate to that.

Jess Theodore: But one of the hardest classes I had to take was discrete mathematics. It definitely tested my confidence, but there were a lot of professors here that helped me.

Joel Vanner: Discrete mathematics sounds like a challenging class just by name. Did you have troubles in that class? Was that a class where you really had to band together with your classmates to get through?

Jess Theodore: Oh, for sure. I sat at this table and we all collectively struggled on every single test. It was to the point where I went to the professor and explained that it wasn't just me who was struggling, but our entire class. We were able to not only get our test restructured a little bit, but lessons were taught a little bit differently. It was not only helpful for me but also for the other girls in my class and the other people in general.

Joel Vanner: That's awesome you were able to actually affect change and get through the course and learn what you need to know now so you know it later, which is the goal, right? Your graduate studies are in cybersecurity. What classes have you taken so far in cybersecurity and what has the experience been like?

Jess Theodore: Right now I'm taking my first grad class, which is Cyber 505—basically an introduction to cybersecurity. Originally, I thought grad school was going to be super technical because you think of big mainframes and hackers, but we're learning from a business perspective. We're looking at the social implications of cybersecurity and meeting people in the field who are currently working in it and seeing what their fears are regarding the future of cybersecurity in this country.

Joel Vanner: In the industry, you had an internship, right? Where was your internship?

Jess Theodore: My internship was at PSE&G in New Jersey.

Joel Vanner: And what did you do there?

Jess Theodore: I was a technical intern on the Work Management and Mobile Solutions team, also known as the ASIS team, which helped to organize and work through work orders at the company.

Joel Vanner: And how did what you were doing at your internship connect to what you learned in your classes here at Quinnipiac?

Jess Theodore: I definitely was able to use everything I've learned when it comes to leadership as well as talking to people. The work can be easy, but your team is even more important—learning how people work and how they like to work.

Joel Vanner: It sounds like you were doing advocacy on behalf of those who were submitting work orders. You did advocacy with the Board of Education, and you're a Resident Assistant, so you're advocating for your residents and helping them with their experience here on campus. Walk me through what a Resident Assistant does in the residence halls here at Quinnipiac and what makes that experience so enjoyable for you.

Jess Theodore: I definitely love the community portion of being an RA. I love knowing my residents and seeing them out and about on campus, basically being that person they can go towards. I help them whether they're struggling with classes by providing resources on campus, helping with housing—pretty much being the voice for them and helping them at any point they need.

Joel Vanner: And you also hold events. We were talking before the show about your favorite event you've held for your residents so far this year. What was it?

Jess Theodore: This year, I did a "sip and paint" event with a dirty soda bar and tote bag painting. We had canvases you could paint and little makeup bags. It was very nice because you could choose what you wanted to do. I was at the drink-making station, so I was able to talk to residents face-to-face, see how they were doing, and give them a little treat.

Joel Vanner: It's awesome to have that connection with your residents. Getting involved here on campus is really important at Quinnipiac. How have all of your academic experiences and other involvements helped shape and prepare you for life after graduation?

Jess Theodore: I feel like I've definitely learned a lot about people. Although I have a very technical degree, at the end of the day, good work comes from how you represent yourself and how you help others. Leadership is definitely the biggest thing I've learned.

Joel Vanner: Computer science is a broad field with many different paths, and it sounds like you're taking the business advocacy side. What advice would you give to someone interested in the field but not quite sure if it's the place for them?

Jess Theodore: I would say: don't be afraid to try and don't doubt yourself. If you really want something, you can definitely do it. You shouldn't let other people determine what you're good at or what you actually enjoy.

Joel Vanner: Well, Jess, thank you so much for joining me on the show and sharing your insights and perspective.

Jess Theodore: Thank you.

Joel Vanner: If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to share and subscribe. You can find other episodes on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube podcasts. Until next time when I ask my next guest, “Who Are You?” I'm Joel Vanner. Bye for now.