Q&A: Accelerated M.S. in Applied Computer Science

Austin Nguyen

AMACS student

“The AMACS program prepared me for the work on Lightwall by teaching me the fundamentals that can be applied into work on live systems.”

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Why did you choose CSUF for your AMACS program?

I chose CSUF for the AMACS program because of its accelerated nature and because I would be able to gain deeper knowledge into computer science concepts such as software engineering and AI/ML.

What interested you about the Lightwall project, and why did you decide to get involved?

I was interested in the Lightwall project because it was an opportunity to work on code that will be deployed live in the real world. I wanted to get involved since it would be a great way for me to gain hands-on industry experience and learn firsthand about developing live AI/ML systems.

How did the AMACS program help prepare you for working on Lightwall?

The AMACS program prepared me for the work on Lightwall by teaching me the fundamentals that can be applied into work on live systems. For example, I learned about techniques to design effective software as well as the core knowledge behind machine learning, which both helped me a lot in making progress on the project.

What was it like collaborating with students and faculty from different disciplines, like art and engineering?

It was pretty cool to be able to collaborate across different disciplines, since most projects I've worked on have only involved computer science peers. I also really enjoyed seeing and learning more about the process of developing hardware for the project.

Did this project influence the kind of work or career path you’re hoping to pursue in the future?

This project has influenced me to pursue work that challenges the realm of what is possible and leverages technology to improve outcomes. It felt especially rewarding to help build Lightwall and see it working end-to-end. As such, I'm very interested in pursuing a career where I can solve problems and develop meaningful software.

What advice do you have for students entering the AMACS program?

My advice for students entering the AMACS program would be to pursue projects outside of the classroom. Working on a wide variety of hands-on projects can help you gain a better idea of what kind of work you enjoy as well as gain useful experience that can be applied in future projects or work.