Carl Ayala’s career has taken him on an unexpected journey, from the creative world of film production to the fast-paced banking environment and now to the cutting-edge field of artificial intelligence.
His latest move? Teaching computers to understand and interpret digital images, videos, and data, which combines several of his loves.
To make the transition to AI, Ayala needed a strong foundation in computing. That’s why he turned to the Pathway to Computing Graduate Certificate and, after that, the Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate at the University of South Florida. These programs gave him the essential skills to bridge the gap between his digital arts and finance background and his ambitious goal of earning a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering.
Early career: Film and Finance
After earning a bachelor’s degree in digital arts, Ayala launched his career in the film industry. From designing visual effects to editorial to video finishing and post-production, he worked behind the scenes on exciting projects like The Avengers, Iron Man, and The Hobbit.
While he enjoyed the creativity of film production, he sought a more structured career, one that could give him a chance to use the analytical side of his brain. That led him to pursue another bachelor’s degree – this time in statistics, and a master’s in computational finance and risk management.
With these new credentials, he transitioned into the finance sector and joined Citigroup, a global investment bank and financial services company, as a quantitative economist.
While working in finance, Ayala began experimenting with artificial intelligence tools to predict stock prices and volatility in financial markets. This hands-on exposure sparked his curiosity about the behind-the-scenes operations of this technology and his interest in AI and computer science.
Embarking on a new journey: AI and computer science
Ayala’s fascination with artificial intelligence grew, but he lacked the formal computer science background needed to dive deeper. His next challenge? Preparing for a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering. That’s where USF’s graduate certificates played a crucial role.
Pathway to computing: Building the foundation
To earn his missing prerequisites for the doctorate program, Ayala began the Pathway to Computing Graduate Certificate first.
He particularly enjoyed classes such as Object-Oriented Programming Essentials, Algorithms Essentials, and Computer Systems Essentials, where he said Professor Srinivas Katkoori made complex subjects approachable and engaging.
Although he was familiar with coding before joining the program, he acquired a much deeper understanding of computer science and algorithms.
“I had a newfound respect for just how deep the rabbit hole goes,” said Ayala.
He said that another strength of the Pathway to Computing program was the connections that he formed among his peers. He formed meaningful relationships, and they created a Discord group to collaborate on projects and share insights.
Artificial intelligence: Exploring the future
To accelerate his learning, Ayala began the Artificial Intelligence certificate during his second semester in the Pathway to Computing program.
It allowed him to explore the concepts and theory behind AI technology through courses such as Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing.
“It was the first time I’d been introduced to that side of the equation,” Ayala said. “I have a fascination with languages anyway, so seeing that broken down into a more scientific perspective was very eye-opening.”
The AI certificate involved many hands-on projects with tangible results to help students gain experience with the building blocks of this evolving technology.
“For example, when building a network from scratch to predict something, even with mock examples and projects, you still get a product that produces results,” he said. “It’s a functional item and not just an exercise.”
Reaching his goals: A PhD and beyond
Most people who complete these programs either move on to career opportunities or opt for a master’s degree, but not Ayala. After completing both certificates, Ayala was finally ready to begin USF’s PhD program. Several classes from the AI program applied directly to the credits he needed for his degree, making the transition seamless.
Ayala began work in the PhD in Computer Science and Engineering program immediately, focusing on artificial intelligence.
“I’m still getting the lay of the land and started working on a project that may or may not turn into a thesis,” he said. He has a strong interest in computer vision. While Ayala is still mapping out his options, he’s excited about the possibilities ahead.
The Pathway to Computing and Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificates are designed to help professionals like Ayala transition into high-demand fields. Learn more about how these programs can help you take the next step toward a career in AI or computer science.
“USF’s Pathway to Computing and AI certificates gave me the opportunity and structure I needed to turn my goals for a PhD into a reality,” said Ayala. “As a full-time working father of three, I sincerely could not have accomplished this otherwise.”