Machine learning and leadership, driverless cars and inclusivity. The 2020 Virtual Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) of Women in Computing, the world’s largest gathering of women technologists, had something for everyone, including Fang (Jenny) Yuan, ’21, a student in the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program.

Last summer, Yuan interned at Amazon where she “worked on building software to improve the Alexa shopping experience.” This opportunity has evolved into an offer of employment.

“I really loved the support of my team, mentor and manager and very happy to go back full-time after I graduate,” she says.

During her time in graduate school, Yuan volunteered her skills toward a collaborative project that provides life-saving early detection and treatment of severe infant jaundice in low-resource countries.

Based in the College of Science and Engineering Project Center, Yuan took part in working on a metrics website and mobile app. Her contributions to the app, which involve image processing and analysis for immediate test results, are now officially patent pending.

“I believed in this project and the impact it would make...,” explains Yuan. “The purpose of this app is to help parents in less developed nations to test their newborns for jaundice.”

Before entering graduate school, Yuan joined the Seattle U community by first enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Computer Science Fundamentals (Career Change Certificate), one of two programs designed to support working professionals with or without previous programming experience. These programs welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds, including a high representation of women and international students, all interested in careers in software development or engineering. 

There are still barriers for women in the tech field. But Yuan has some advice for the women who face those barriers. “The technology field needs you…because of your experience, your hardship, your knowledge and understanding of inequality.”

And, she adds, “There will be glass ceilings, but they are glass for a reason—so you can break them.”