For Daryle Lamoureux, what began as a corporate partnership with Khoury College grew into a budding interest for exploring computer science. After learning about the Align program, he decided to transition careers, and has since doubled his salary in his new tech position.

Going from my previous job to where I am now, I about doubled my salary. So this gave me the opportunity to grow professionally. From that perspective – from a paycheck – it was worth it

Daryle Lamoureux, Align MSCS ’22

Before she was a data scientist, Paige Norris interned at a national laboratory. When their resident data scientist quit, she begged her bosses to let her try the role. It didn’t take long for her initial interest to grow into a passion for the field, leading her to fully transition her career through the Align program.

Maine is beautiful. Portland is astounding. Everybody here is just so lovely and so excited to be here. And it’s really a great investment. It’s already paid for itself tenfold

Paige Norris, MSDS ’24

As a GIS specialist at the National Park Service, Kris Barnes knew he was programming, but he didn’t understand the deeper systems at play. Through the Align program, he got the opportunity to delve into the world of software, and now he’s looking forward to graduating with a new degree.

You have dance majors, econ majors, finance majors all coming together that want to learn something… That helps us go into the field and say, ‘oh yeah, let’s think about this differently

Kris Barnes, Align MSCS ’23

Ugo Nwachuku credits his early achievements as a software engineer to his experience at Khoury College’s Vancouver campus. Initially trained as an electrical engineer, he believes that the diverse viewpoints he encountered from his fellow students helped equip him for the industry.

Just being here, I felt like I got the sense that I was getting prepared to join the industry and that’s what I’m seeing while I’m out there

Ugo Nwachuku, Align MSCS ’22

Shortly after beginning her career as an actuary, Tiffany Marthin felt concerned that her prospects were too narrow. Seeking more options, she discovered the Align program in Seattle, and now she’s gained confidence in a field known for its broad applicability.

Khoury College helped me build my confidence compared to two years ago when I had no experience at all … It’s definitely a journey, and it’s a good one

Tiffany Marthin, Align MSCS ’23

When Ujwala Ramakrishna discovered the Align program’s mission to make computer science accessible for all, it prompted her to move away from the career she had been preparing for in environmental science. Now she helps students navigate their own career transitions.

I think we’ve done an incredible job of changing the field, and I hope that in the next 10 years, Align is able to continue to make that change in industry and give a voice to people who have traditionally been left out of the conversation

Ujwala Remekrishna, Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Graduate Student Services

Sommer Harris thought it was too late for her to pursue a career in tech. But as part of Khoury College’s Align program, she’s found the supportive community of staff, faculty, and students helped her push through the challenges of entering a field she never thought she could access.

It was kind of unimaginable to me, getting a computer science co-op and then eventually getting a full-time job. But it does happen, and if you keep working and take advantage of the resources, it will happen

Sommer Harris, Align MSCS ’22

For a time, Katie Lowen was touring internationally as a contemporary dancer. But when the pandemic closed down theaters, she sought another avenue to develop herself. Now, earning her master’s in computer science through the Align program in Vancouver, Katie finds herself immersed in a career path she’d never imagined.

I thought if I could work as a contemporary dance artist and also be able to do things on the technical side, it would open the doors [for me] in the arts world

Katie Lowen, Align MSCS ’23

After seven years as a paralegal, Tiffany Lastimosa became frustrated with her company’s inefficient system for processing data. Taking the initiative to improve it, she came across the Align program — and has come a long way since then.

I don’t have a background in any STEM field, so trying to tackle computer science, I was definitely nervous. I wasn’t sure what the future might look like for me, but the Align program was super helpful

Tiffany Lastimosa, Align MSCS ’22

---