TA Spotlight: Amy Garcia Fernandez
Amy Garcia Fernandez is a TA for CS 6750: Human-Computer Interaction. Keep reading to learn more about Amy!
What do you do professionally?
I recently graduated (December 2022) with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Florida International University with summa cum laude honors. I enrolled in the OMSCS program in Spring 2023 and became a TA for CS 6750: Human-Computer Interaction during the summer semester.
I am passionate about the application of artificial intelligence in medicine. During my undergraduate education, I collaborated on healthcare software projects. I also worked as a medical scribe, supporting medical professionals. Through these experiences, I gained a better comprehension of information security in the healthcare industry.
Why do you TA for OMSCS?
I took CS 6750: Human-Computer Interaction during my first semester in OMSCS. David Joyner's dedication and the support from the TAs were truly inspiring and motivated me to apply.
Being a TA has been a fantastic learning opportunity! Providing feedback to students improves my understanding, and it is very rewarding to read assignments from students who passionately apply their knowledge to personal and real-world projects.
HCI shapes the current technology landscape and the future of our digital interactions, creating interfaces that are intuitive and invisible for users. I am excited to be a TA for this course!
What is your advice for future OMSCS students?
I would advise future students to be patient and persistent. Take your time to explore the wide range of courses and paths available. Plan and prioritize the courses that align with your personal and professional goals.
Remember that you are not alone on this journey; OMSCS is a community of learners. If you need assistance, or simply a fresh perspective, don’t hesitate to reach out to your professors and TAs. We are all here to help each other learn and succeed.
What's your best study hack?
I try to start working on assignments as early as possible, divide the work into manageable daily objectives, and maintain consistency to achieve these goals. This simple strategy helps me stay organized and ensures I keep making steady progress.
Additionally, applying the concepts learned—to either personal or professional projects—is very beneficial to reinforce my understanding. For example, in the Human-Computer Interaction course, we learn to identify both effective and ineffective designs in our everyday life. Now, when I come across a design that doesn't convince me, I use what I've learned to understand the reason for my reaction. I think this is a helpful way to solidify knowledge!
Find Amy on...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amygarciaf