This panel brings together Mount Holyoke students with diverse experiences across the technology landscape, from research and startups to big tech in the U.S. and global tech industries abroad. United by a shared foundation in computer science and the liberal arts, the panelists will discuss how interdisciplinary skills, such as critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving, have shaped their career trajectories. By sharing personal stories, lessons learned, and insights from their diverse journeys, the panelists invite attendees to engage in a conversation about navigating non-linear career trajectories, embracing uncertainty, and redefining what success in tech can look like. This session welcomes all who are curious about technology’s many pathways and how diverse perspectives can drive innovation and meaningful impact. Attendees will gain practical insights, inspiration, and strategies for forging their own “alt routes” in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Moderator: Tony Liu, Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Presenters:

• Ngoc Linh Le '27 Computer Science
• Bijju Maharjan '27 Computer Science
• Nha-Van Nguyen '27 Computer Science/Economics
• Heather Pham '26 Computer Science/Mathematics
• Shawana Shahrin Rahman '27 Computer Science