A veteran of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, Joshua Santobianco is familiar with witnessing intimidating jumps and soaring to new heights – in military planes. While he’s not maintaining weapons or conducting wartime exercises anymore, he’s leaping into a new career through USF’s Pathway to Computing Graduate Certificate.
The 82nd Airborne Division required him to be ready on a moment’s notice, and this same energy is propelling him as he transitions to this new phase in his career.
Why Pathway to Computing:
Santobianco started his academic career with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, where he developed a knack for symbolic logic. While in the military, he completed a few courses that gave him a glimpse of the computing field at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center & School and sparked an interest in computer science.
“I got some exposure to Python programming and command-line interface in Linux,” he said.
Following his military service in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and Psychological Operations, he went into emergency medical
services and worked as an EMT and paramedic.
Now, he’s revisiting his interest in computer science, intending to eventually complete a computing-related graduate degree.
“After I moved to Florida, I started thinking, ‘I have my GI bill; what can I use that for?’ And that’s when I found the Pathway to Computing program,” Santobianco said.
One of the biggest draws was the priority admission he would receive for USF’s M.S. in Computer Science or Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence after completing the PTC certificate.
He is now a full-time student in the PTC program and serves as a part-time member of the Florida National Guard.
Program Benefits:
The Pathway to Computing Graduate Certificate offers an excellent route for students like Santobianco who have non-computing degrees and want to get the skills needed for a successful computer science career. He had a bit of programming knowledge before entering the program, but all skill levels are welcome. Classes are designed to accommodate those with zero coding experience.
In the program, students learn commonly required programming skills, such as how to create data structures, write object-oriented applications, and develop efficient algorithms to enter computer-related careers.
“Looking at where I was in my knowledge of solving problems using programming four months ago and comparing it to where I am now is impressive,” Santobianco said. “I’ve learned a great deal, and I look forward to learning more with the foundation that I now have.”
One noteworthy advantage of the PTC certificate is the dedicated faculty who help Santobianco and his peers develop expertise in the course subjects, including data structures, algorithms, networks, and more.
“The systematic way that Professor James Anderson built upon each lecture in the class provided a good base and understanding of the Python programming language, which I’m very thankful for,” he said. “I feel confident that I can use what he taught us and build on it whenever I need to.”
Students can build these skills anywhere that works best for them because the program is asynchronous and fully online. This is a large bonus for Santobianco, as he has an upcoming deployment with the National Guard. Thanks to the online format, he can continue working through his classes while away from home.
Despite being entirely online, he has not missed out on the quality typically found in an in-person program. “Anytime I’ve put a question forward to a TA or professor, I’ve gotten a relatively rapid response, usually within 24 hours of asking it,” he said.
Santobianco’s journey from the military to pursuing a career in computer science through the Pathway to Computing Graduate Certificate is a testament to his adaptability and commitment to lifelong learning. As he embraces transitioning into a new field, the PTC program provides the support he needs to expand his skillset and lay the groundwork for continued education and a promising career in computer science.
To learn more about the Pathway to Computing Graduate Certificate, application deadlines, format, and courses, visit the website or contact cse-ptc@usf.edu.