“Having traveled to and experienced different countries, I bring a more practical and global outlook to computer science. This definitely gives me a different understanding and appreciation for the subject compared to some of my peers.”
That sentiment, offered by Fei Huang, veteran and current undergraduate, is one of the themes we found among Allen School students with military backgrounds. To mark Veterans Appreciation Week at the University of Washington, we spoke with three students on how being a veteran gives them a unique perspective on their studies and future career path.
Fei Huang
Before joining the Allen School, Huang served six years in the Navy. The same thing that drove Huang to the military helped fuel his journey to the Allen School: intellectual curiosity. Huang described himself as a “curious person” and joining the Navy gave him the opportunity to see the world and experience different aspects of life. At the same time, his interest in computer science grew as he learned how the technology had transformed the world over the decades.
“I wanted to contribute to humanity and future generations, as I believe computer science is the foundation of our future world. I chose the Allen School because it’s one of the best computer science programs globally, attracting top talent and being situated in a city at the forefront of technology,” Huang said.
In the Navy, Huang learned how to quickly adapt to new environments, making for a smooth transition from military to university life. One of the biggest adjustments he faced was time management. In the Navy, Huang said he had his whole day scheduled for him; university life required him to manage his own time, but it also gave him “the freedom to pursue his passions.”
Huang’s advice for any other veterans looking to study at the Allen School is to see their military experience as a strength.
“At first, you might feel like an outsider because your way of thinking and your experiences are different from those of your classmates. Embrace this difference, and use it to lead your peers by sharing real-world perspectives,” Huang said. “The military places a strong emphasis on leadership, and for me, the most important aspect of leadership is ownership. I encourage my peers to take ownership of everything they do.”
Makalapua Goodness
Allen School undergraduate student and veteran Makalapua Goodness grew up in a small town and enlisted in the Air Force as a way to get out and see the world. He served seven years in the military before following his interest in technology and computer science to the Allen School. For Goodness, the skills he learned during his military service helped make the transition to being a university student easier.
“Veterans and civilians have different mindsets around things. Veterans can handle adversity better and are used to handling stressful situations,” Goodness said. “That’s what I tell myself when I’m lost in a class or a project — that I’ve been through tougher times than this.”
His military background also comes out in how he approaches his assignments and coursework. In the later part of his Air Force career, he was often in a supervisor role and focused on team dynamics. Now, when working with others at the Allen School, he thinks about “how to involve and put everyone in the best position to succeed, both as a group and individually.”
He credits the other skills he gained through the military such as timeliness and being goal-oriented for helping him find success at the Allen School.
Larrianna Warner
Allen School undergraduate student and veteran Larrianna Warner said she was unsure exactly what she wanted to pursue after high school, but she knew she loved learning languages. That passion led her to enlist in the Air Force and serve four years as a Russian Cryptologic Language Analyst focusing on translating messages. In the Air Force, Warner became interested in large language models and natural language processing and how they can be used for both translating languages as well as intelligence purposes. Studying at the Allen School became a perfect fit for her.
“The perspective I bring to computer science is that I can see the way it can be used in military applications. I’m really dedicated to the idea of human-centered technology, specifically artificial intelligence,” Warner said. “I don’t think many people fully grasp the idea of where AI is headed in regards to the military and government sector so I think it’s important to have at least one person who really understands the impact of it all and has seen it with their own eyes.”
At the University of Washington’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, Warner was recognized for her military service and her work as a veteran peer mentor in the Office of Student Veteran Life. As part of her role, Warner supports veterans in their transition into university life.
“It’s a huge life decision to separate from the military and come back to school and it’s very easy to question whether or not you made the right choice,” Warner said. “But as soon as I voice these thoughts to other veterans, they come running to remind me that the Allen School wouldn’t have accepted me if they didn’t see something in me, and it is my job to tell them the same thing when they voice those imposter syndrome-induced thoughts.”
For any veterans on the fence about joining the Allen School, Warner emphasized that Student Veteran Life is there to lend a helping hand and build community with other veterans on campus.
For more information on the many ways the UW community celebrates the contributions of our veterans, visit the Veterans Appreciation Week website.