Each week we spotlight an OMSCS TA, so you can get to know who's behind the screen. Here are four questions for Sarah Moore, who TAs CS 6750: Human-Computer Interaction.
What do you do professionally?
I work internationally as an in-house patent attorney at a large technology corporation in Stockholm, Sweden. My previous work experience was in China, Germany, and most notably in Japan, where I worked for almost 10 years with Sony Computer Entertainment. I am currently registered to sit before the New York Bar and with the USPTO.
Why do you TA for OMSCS?
I had been a TA as an undergraduate, and I found it to be a rewarding experience. I thought it was fun to teach and to work with professors. After my first semester in OMSCS, I knew being a teaching assistant was something I wanted to do, and I started with Computer Vision. I think that each class is greatly enhanced by its teaching assistants.
What's your advice for future students in OMSCS?
In addition to not taking too many classes when you first begin the program, there are some aspects that will greatly aid your performance. Have a firm grasp of probability and statistics, which will be applied to many of the foundation courses.
Another important thing is to pay attention to the quality of your writing. In so many of your classes and probably in your professional lives, you will have to write technical documents. It’s crucial that you are able to convey arguments and reasoning in a clear and concise manner. Focus on structured writing in your courses, and you should do well — especially in Machine Learning.
What hobby or activity are you looking forward to getting back to once you're done with OMSCS?
During my last semester, I was pregnant with my son. My last final and graduation from the program coincided with the birth of my baby — in other words, a very stressful time. So now that I am done with OMSCS, I am on maternity leave. In between taking care of my baby, I also can get back into DIY things that I used to do such as making art and baking.
