Growing up, Rita Sharipova was fascinated by technology, but when it came time to choose a college major, she opted for hospitality management at the University of Central Florida. At the time, tech felt intimidating, especially as a male-dominated industry with lingering gender stereotypes. Hospitality seemed like a safer choice.
From hospitality to technology
She earned the hospitality degree, but after working in Orlando鈥檚 hospitality industry for a year, she craved a challenge. She wanted to pursue the field she had always been drawn to 鈥� computer programming. That鈥檚 when she took her first step into tech, enrolling in a program at Valencia College.
It didn鈥檛 take long for her to confirm her passion for tech.
She quickly mastered her skills in coding and began working in the college鈥檚 computer lab to help other students with programming projects. Then, a classmate introduced her to USF鈥檚 Pathway to Computing certificate.
鈥淥ne of my classmates in the program suggested that I join USF鈥檚 Pathway to Computing certificate since they were enrolled too,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o, I decided to pursue both programs at the same time.鈥�
The USF Pathway to Computing experience
By enrolling in USF鈥檚 Pathway to Computing Graduate Certificate, she found a seamless bridge between her background in hospitality and her future in software development and artificial intelligence.
When Sharipova entered the Pathway to Computing program, she already had some experience with programming languages such as Python, C, and Java. This helped her ease the transition smoothly, but the certificate鈥檚 classes helped her dive deeper into complex topics like discrete math, computer essentials, and algorithms.
While the coursework was certainly a challenge, she found it rewarding to expand her expertise and gain confidence in her technical skills.
One of her favorite courses was the Object-Oriented Programming class with Assistant Professor of Instruction Marbin Pazos-Revilla.
鈥淥ne of the most exciting projects we worked on was building a game using Python,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was like creating a game with Python extension. We built a window where you could click and get results 鈥� it was really fun to see the code come to life.鈥�
Sharipova also gained a lot from the Discrete Structures Essentials course, taught by Professor of Instruction Jing Wang.
鈥淒r. Wang was incredibly supportive, both during class and outside of it. Since I had doubts about my path in this industry, she helped me understand that I鈥檓 not alone and that many women actively support each other in this field 鈥� women who, like me, aspire to achieve more.鈥�
Looking ahead
Her sights are set on a future in software development and artificial intelligence, where she can use her technical skills to build solutions that improve people鈥檚 lives.
鈥淚 would love to develop a product that will help people make their lives easier,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or example, a software that incorporates AI and assists professionals in the hospitality industry.鈥�
Sharipova has already secured her next step 鈥� being admitted into USF鈥檚 Master of Science in Computer Science. People who earn the Pathway to Computing certificate get priority admission into the highly competitive program.
Advice for future students
Sharipova encourages anyone considering a career in tech to go for it.
鈥淭his is a great bridge program for students or professionals who want to change tracks and prepare for a master鈥檚 degree in computer science without a related bachelor鈥檚 degree,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t can feel intimidating to start a fast-paced program, but you just have to stay focused.鈥�
For more information on how the Pathway to Computing certificate can help you transition into an exciting career in tech, .