Spotlight on Larry Stewart, M.S. Computer Science '19

For the last 15 years, I’ve been working as a pilot and manager at several aviation companies, from flight instructing to a private jet flying, to aerial surveying from helicopters.

I wouldn’t say that aviation experience directly contributed to my success at Hood College, but some general traits which are required for success in aviation I have found to be useful in many endeavors. The ability to quickly prioritize possible actions and decide what to take next keeps things moving along, even when no lives are at stake.  Also, when planning something, leave enough time to check every single detail. Twice.

I’ve been working as a software engineer for VeraChem for over two years now, and it’s a great job.  We’re a small company so I have responsibility for several different projects, and we’re involved in basic scientific research which is most often applied in developing new compounds to cure disease. No plans to do anything other than growing the company.

I wish I had some particular insight on this. It’s nice to be recognized as ‘The Outstanding’ and you would think I would have some ‘secrets of my success’ or some such to share.  I don’t.  If I’ve had any outsize success which is attributable to my actions I believe it derives from a personal confluence of life experience and circumstance, events, which, truthfully, I wouldn’t wish on other people.

Otherwise, I don’t think computer science students need my advice. They have already shown themselves to be practical in pursuing a field with strong employment prospects, and diligent, in so far as they are already involved, and it took them plenty of work to get this far.  My advice is to keep it up.

Inspired to #GoFurther in your education to boost your career? Learn about Hood College’s graduate programs, including the M.S. in Computer Science, by clicking here.