Insights from Juliana Bain, Software Engineer at Humane

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Juliana's Journey into Software Engineering
   • High School Introduction to Computer Science
   • College Experience and Internship at Twitter
   • Transition to Humane
3. Working at Humane as a Software Engineer
   • Experience Services Team
   • Juliana's Projects and Role
4. Living in New York City
   • Local Spots and Routine
   • The Energy and People of New York
   • Advice for Women in STEM
5. Conclusion

Juliana's Journey into Software Engineering

Juliana's path to becoming a software engineer began in high school, where she was exposed to computer science through a mandatory intro class. Initially, Juliana didn't have a strong interest in pursuing computer science and thought she would lean towards the bio route. However, after working in a lab over the summer, she realized that wet lab work wasn't for her and decided to give computer science another try. Juliana took AP Computer Science in high school and had the opportunity to study advanced areas like artificial intelligence and Parallel computing. This exposure to tech early on sparked her interest in the field.

Following high school, Juliana attended Cornell University and pursued a degree in computer science and math. During her time at Cornell, she continued to dive deeper into computer science, taking classes in Java, AI, and mobile and web computing. She also participated in hackathons and co-organized the largest high school hackathon called "hack TJ." Juliana's experiences in college further solidified her passion for software engineering.

After completing her junior year, Juliana had an internship at Twitter, where she worked on the revenue science team. She gained valuable experience writing YAML and SQL, contributing to the team's efforts in data organization. Juliana enjoyed her internship at Twitter and found it inspiring to work alongside talented engineers.

Upon graduating from Cornell in 2020, Juliana decided to join Twitter full-time. She had a positive experience there, but the allure of joining a startup like Humane, where she could have a direct impact and work on cutting-edge projects, was too strong for her to resist. Juliana made the move to Humane after a weekend break between leaving Twitter and starting at Humane. This decision allowed her to Continue her growth as a software engineer and work in a small team where her contributions would be valued.

Working at Humane as a Software Engineer

At Humane, Juliana is part of the Experience Services team. This team focuses on building first-party experiences for Humane devices. One of Juliana's specific projects has been working on a Java Spring Boot application for device onboarding. This application ensures that Humane devices are genuine when they connect to the backend servers, adding an extra layer of security. Juliana finds her work at Humane both challenging and rewarding, as she continuously learns new skills and applies them to real-world projects.

Living in New York City

Juliana moved to New York City in June 2021, making her commute to the Humane office just a five-minute walk. She enjoys the vibrant atmosphere and the diversity of people in the city. A fan of Bagel Bobs, Juliana often starts her day with a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese. During the week, she tries to maintain a healthier breakfast routine but occasionally indulges in a classic bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich.

Living in New York City has been a dream come true for Juliana. She values the opportunities for personal and professional growth, the networking possibilities, and the excitement of being in a city filled with creatives, tech professionals, and finance experts. Juliana encourages everyone to experience living in New York City at least once in their lives, as it provides a unique and diverse environment that fosters personal growth and exploration.

Advice for Women in STEM

As a woman in a male-dominated field, Juliana understands the challenges and imposter syndrome that many women may face. She advises women interested in pursuing STEM careers to find supportive communities and mentors who can guide and inspire them. Role models and peers who share similar experiences can provide valuable insights and support. Juliana believes that diversity of perspective is essential in tech and encourages more women to enter the field.

Juliana suggests that introducing computer science classes in high schools should be mandatory to provide equal opportunities for students to explore STEM fields. Even if someone hasn't had the chance to take CS classes early on, it's Never too late to learn. Juliana highlights the stories of successful engineers who transitioned through boot camps and apprenticeships, proving that a career in tech is attainable regardless of one's educational background.

Conclusion

Juliana's journey into software engineering demonstrates the importance of early exposure to computer science education and supportive communities. Her experiences at Twitter and now at Humane have allowed her to grow both personally and professionally. Living in New York City has been a dream come true, and Juliana hopes to continue pushing boundaries as a woman in STEM and inspiring others to pursue careers in technology. By advocating for diversity and embracing new opportunities, Juliana is making a difference in the field of software engineering.