Google Student Blog: Anita Borg Scholar inspires young women in computer science

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Anita Borg Scholar inspires young women in computer science

April 21, 2011

Update: We'd like to remind you that the deadline to submit an application for this year's Computer Science Summer Institute is TODAY, April 22nd. Also, stay tuned for an announcement of this year's Anita Borg Scholars in the next few weeks! Introduction: Natasha Nesiba is a freshmen at New Mexico State University studying computer science. In 2010 Natasha received the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship and shortly after was selected to receive the largest tuition scholarship her university offers. Read on to learn what she chose to do next and how it has impacted young women studying computer science.
Tell us about yourself. Where do you attend school? What sort of activities are you involved in?
I am a freshman studying computer science at New Mexico State University, and I am an undergraduate research assistant for a middle school and high school outreach program called Young Women in Computing (YWiC). The goal of the program is to expose young girls to computational thinking and spark their interest in technology. Through YWiC, I am very involved in creating interactive and engaging CS curriculum for middle and high school students, organizing and conducting outreach events and initiatives, compiling and presenting research at national conferences, and mentoring younger girls. I am a very driven and focused individual, but when I am not working, programming, or doing other homework, I am playing intramural softball or spending time with my three younger sisters.

What made you decide to study CS?
In the summer of 2008 I was selected to participate in YWiC’s 5-week computer science summer camp, where I was first introduced to programming and basic algorithmic thinking through easy-to-use software. After that summer I was pretty much hooked.

What’s most challenging about studying computer science?
One challenging element would be coming up with the most efficient algorithm to solve a problem. At the same time, it is one of my favorite aspects of the field because it is where creativity comes into play.

How was your experience attending the Computer Science Summer Institute at the Google Headquarters last year?
In short, fabulous! I loved getting to meet and work with other students from all over the country who had very different backgrounds. We all came together to do the same thing: to learn more about what CS is all about while getting a unique glimpse into the life of a Googler at the Googleplex. The interesting and informative technical talks by Googlers, cheerful atmosphere of the Googleplex, classroom programming sessions, and other fun activities made it an unforgettable experience!

Tasha and the CSSI class of 2010

Why did you apply to the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship?
In 2009, as a senior in high school, I attended the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, a conference presented by the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology. It was very inspiring to learn about the courage and fearlessness that women like Rear Admiral Grace Hopper and Dr. Anita Borg showed as they paved the way for other women in technology. I found out about the scholarship through YWiC in spring 2010, and was encouraged to apply. When I reviewed the criteria, I was excited to discover that I fit each aspect of the scholarship. Not only was I planning to enroll full-time and major in CS at my university, but I think most importantly, I felt passionate about computer science, after learning from stories about Dr. Anita Borg and other prominent and successful women that it is possible to succeed as a woman in CS.

Tasha at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing

How did you feel when you heard that you won the scholarship?
I was ecstatic and a bit in disbelief, which could have partly been attributed to the fact that I was notified on April Fool’s Day! I felt so lucky and blessed to be one of the few graduating high school seniors to receive this very prestigious award. It was also one of the greatest feelings to know that I could go into my freshman year with less of the financial burden to worry about.

Tell us about what you did with the scholarship money after you found out that you received a scholarship from your university.
Along with the Anita Borg Scholarship, I had applied for and received the NMSU President’s Associates Scholarship, my university’s biggest scholarship. This scholarship was to cover all tuition and fees for eight semesters during my undergraduate degree. Since I had my tuition covered I wanted to give back to the program and help others succeed in CS. I approached the department head to discuss the Anita Borg Scholarship, because I knew that it deserved something special, and that it needed to be handled with great forethought. I believe the opportunity to attend college is a privilege, and to be able to give that opportunity to other students is so gratifying. My solution was to take the money from the Anita Borg Scholarship and endow a scholarship in the CS department at my university, and so the Mark Nesiba Memorial Scholarship for Women in Computing was created in December 2010. The scholarship, named after my late father, will be awarded to Hispanic female undergraduate students majoring in CS.

What do you hope to do with CS in the future?
I think what I like most about CS is that the possibilities are endless, and after having wonderful support and experiences, I hope to be able to work at a software company like Google. Overall though, in the future, I want to be able to use CS to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

What advice would you give to women who are considering studying computer science?
I would say go for it, nothing is impossible! For those students in high school, I would say to take as many math classes as possible. Practice it, get comfortable with it, and get good at it. Even though it is not the easiest field, dedication, drive, and desire can go a long way. One of my favorite quotes is, “Execute excellence. There is no discrimination against it.”

Posted by Azusa Hanashima, Talent & Outreach Programs