From Computer Science to Pixar with Laísa Barros

Zeke: Thank you for saying attack consultants, like for my podcast and tech class, nothing major. It’s just a mission to stick with something I’m comfortable with. Which is able to become comfortable with the uncomfortableness in tech.

Laísa: Yeah, yes. Because yes, become comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Zeke: I’d like to welcome, everyone to another episode of the Let’s Gather Podcast. I’m your host Zeke. In this episode I have my friend Laísa to speak about studying computer science, how she got to Pixar. You can find her podcasts This is Me by clicking the link in description below or going to all major podcasting platforms.  I like to give a content warning for any strong language used in this episode. I hope you have a nice day and enjoy the show. So thank you for coming on the podcast.

Zeke:  So thank you for coming on the podcast.

Laísa:  Thank you for having me.

Zeke:  No problem. And first of all, I’d like to ask, what would your origin story be and how would like to represent it?

Laísa:  So my origin story, which started in Brazil because that’s where I’m originally from, and I would represent it in a book, I think,

Zeke:  And why a book?

Laísa:  I think it’s because there would be more, there’s so many details to share that I would like people to be able to experience it in their own way.

Zeke:  Nice, nice. So we get to the topic at hand. So you’re like in the tech creative field, right?

Laísa:  Yeah.

Zeke:  So how did that start? How did you get there?

Laísa:  So it all started in high school, when I found out about computer science as a major, but I didn’t quite do anything towards the class, or anything. And there was a college. And I, it was a really difficult journey to get into class and like just grasping the material. But once I got my first in my first program, there is a program for called Unicode. And that’s when I got my hands on web development. And that was like, one of the first things that I did as a computer science student. And if I get (inaudible)

Zeke:  Nice, so what about my computer science that really draw you in drew you in?

Laísa:  Yeah, it was mostly the fact that it’s human computer interaction. And that’s Yeah, it’s just human interaction. So that was something that was really bugging my mind. And I wanted to explore. And I did, I found out about UX, and how to combine Art Design and Technology. And then I went into UX, which is user experience research. And right after that, I found I found it roll, which was an affinity to Pixar. And then I did other things with hardware, and quality assurance, as well as web development. And I just, I just really like to combine things. And so that’s what’s drew me to it.

Zeke:  Nice. And with combining all of that. So you’ve seen that you was able to pull from definitely a part of like, the creative part into the UX and everything?

Laísa:  Yeah, yeah. Like, I really like, I really like that I can combine all different skills into one. And so that’s, that’s what I love about technology.

Zeke:  So go into technology. That’s like a very male dominated industry. Did you really think about that when you first joined? Or were you just like, I like this, I’m gonna keep doing it?

Laísa:  Yeah, it’s funny that you asked that, because I didn’t really know until I was actually in college. And I was just one of the three girls in the class. And I didn’t really think much about it until 2016, when they actually started having programs for women in technology when I got to see more women in tech and from a variety of schools in New York City. And that was really what gets me motivated. So that was really helpful. Yeah, having like just a group of people that other women also in the tech industry that I was also alone. Yeah. So I just kept going because I had the support system as well.

Zeke:  And since not knowing at the beginning, do think that really helped you to stay the course that you have, like the initial discouragement uses, like, this is something you enjoy, so you decide to keep doing it?

Laísa:  Wow. Something that I enjoyed, it was actually really difficult for me and I wanted to give up. But I felt like if I gave it up, I would regret it. So I kept trying, even though I actually dropped the class, the integration to computer science class two times because I just couldn’t do it. And then the by the third time that I took it, I actually asked the Dean of the computer science department to write me a letter to take the class again. And then the time that I actually got an amazing professor, and he actually treated the students as beginners. And I was actually able to learn and continue on the path. So I think it’s important also who the professor is, and so many different factors to like choosing to only take that one class that semester was also a big factor. So yeah, it was actually very difficult, not something that I was originally passionate about, because it was very difficult. But then I became passionate because of the people that I met along the way.

Zeke:  Nice to see the support system. As soon as I saw that you didn’t really get a first Say, say they just determination and your job is really push you to finish to like master it?

Laísa:  Yes, yes, I think you definitely need if you want to be in the tech industry, especially you definitely need like that drive. To work to do the you know, you have to do so many factors, you have to practice you have to understand the concepts like theoretically, so but also like the code. And it was just yeah, it was just really empowering once I figured it out. And that’s what I decided to volunteer to teach students as well, because I was like, I figured it out. I know how to tell people how to do it.

Zeke:  All ways give back. And what you say that helped you click that really helped you understood technology? Understand technology.

Laísa:  Yes. So it’s effectively the professor. He was very open. He had cited really cool projects. And yeah, and oh, and there was also I had a group of friends that had just started a study group. That was really helpful as well for accountability. And just the fact that I decided to focus on that class. And I was determined to read the whole book and do all everything in asking for more all the time. Yeah, that was a big piece.

Zeke:  Cool. And then since you, like dropped it twice. Like, did you talk to anybody to like, help convince yourself that you wanted to keep doing it? And then you’re like, Okay, I know, just to talk about this. I feel something’s here?

Laísa:  Yeah. So I mean, so many people just looked like they were so smart. And they really knew what they were talking about. All that they knew all these technical terms and the words, and I was just like, Oh, my gosh, like, Where have I been, and I’ve been living abroad. And I didn’t know all this. But but it was, it was like, I just felt intimidated by the other students that were in my first two classes, because I was like, they know it. It’s not hard for them, they’re doing it, I can’t do it. I just got a job. I not understanding what I’m doing, than it is I just can’t be doing this. And it’s funny, because then after like, dropping those classes twice, at that’s what I decided to, like add art into my life again, because I was like really ready to give up computer science in the tech industry. The is, it’s good that I got the art because I got another part of myself. And like, in conjunction with the computer science, when I was just more relaxed, I was doing something that I really enjoyed while also trying to learn something that was really challenging, but that I appreciate it in a way.

Zeke:  Once you found that self confidence feels like okay, I can move my own speed. In don’t have to worry about anyone else. Is to go back to when you say there wasn’t the other woman in the class at demo. Did you feel anything different at that moment or use like this just I’m just like you doing this class. And, and in the college class were on of three women did you feel any different. or was you like okay?

Laísa:  Yeah, in the first year, the first two classes are misjudged. I felt out of place like I felt out of place. Let’s not just because I was like one of the few women that mostly because there was a lot of really smart people there. And they were really grasping the material. And I was so it was just Yeah, I just felt like it wasn’t for me. That Yeah.

Zeke:  And now your career at Pixar, which is great, a lot of people dreams.

Laísa:  Yeah,

Zeke:  How did that come up, come about?

Laísa:  So that came about in 2018, I decided to apply. But mind you, I had been looking at their job postings for several years prior to that I was always looking. And I was always like, I’m never gonna get in. But then something changed in like 2016, because I started seeing as the possibility for me as a technical person to join, not as an artist. And that’s why I started looking more into animation classes and other kinds of like art classes so that I could see like how the users were using the software for arc. And that was really cool. And then there was this position for an internship that I saw, and I qualified for it, and instead of just blindly seeing, and just like that, I got it. And so that’s how it was about.

Zeke: 

So when you’re gonna get this, this is like a huge company, how are they gonna see me?

Laísa:  The imposter syndrome was there. I was just like, I was a bit like, not gonna get it anyways. Yeah, it was definitely there. And but it’s good because I was part of a program called DNA test prep. And at that time, I had a career coach, and she was like, well, you should apply. And I applied on the last day of the deadline. I was like, okay, fine, then I submitted it. So it was it was very lucky like that. I got it. I am very thankful for it.

Zeke:  And with that, I remember you make video on LinkedIn made a video, like saying, like to tell people to just apply even, if you don’t feel like you can do it. Because there’s always that one chance.

Laísa:  Yeah, yeah. That’s what I always tell people, if you don’t apply, how can people find you, you have to give yourself a chance.

Zeke:  And so you didn’t so like you didn’t join like, as an artist shown, like the tech world, like, yeah.

Laísa:  Yeah, so that was those? Yeah, my internship is more like its production support engineer, in turn at the time is when a team and I get to do is troubleshoot and diagnose issues that they have is mostly design it. And that was a lot of fun, because I got to work on the software side, but also on the hardware side. And so it was very like that for me, because I really like I really like doing many things. So the fact that we were eating in different ways with like, computers made me really happy and constantly learning new things.

Zeke:  I remember, I meet you guys were all advanced, like marketing and stuff like that. And I was like, Okay, I’m here. I’m gonna do my best.

Laísa:  Yes in the marketing Bootcamp, yes. Like I told you, I just enjoy, like, doing many things. So it’s so fun.

Zeke:  Yeah. How did you join that program? competition?

Laísa:  The one that we met is, yeah, I think there was just an advertising somewhere in my emails. And I was like, yeah, I’ll sign up. It’s during winter is through spring break. Yeah, why not spend Spring Break doing learning something new?

Zeke:  Yeah, that was a funny thing.

Laísa:  Yeah. And I really enjoyed how we all had matching outfits at the end. Yeah. And the logo they made for us so cool.

Zeke:  So know your journey doing a lot of different things. These like I helped you like shape yours, your point of view and then he was able to use that experience to like, talk about more and then help you like make decisions as you continue?

Laísa:  Yes, I think it’s important to like, there is there are people that really like know what they want to do and they just go for it and I admire those people, that I am somebody that is really want to learn like a lot. bit of everything, I don’t need to be a master at it, but I just feel fulfilled when I know things. So yeah, for me like just having varied experiences, as a designer, as a developer, as a quality assurance engineer, like those have really helped to connect things in a way that I don’t think I would have been able to if I didn’t have those experiences. I’m really grateful that I took the took the lead on different things. And yeah, and I was able to connect.

Zeke:  And I commend you for staying in that tech because I was, like I said before in the podcasts, in the tech class, droped the major switched my major to marketing I don’t understand this. I’m gonna stick with something I’m comfortable with. When you’re able to become comfortable with the uncomfortableness in tech,

Laísa:  Yes, yes. Become Yes. Become comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Zeke:  Write that down. In the moment,

Laísa:  Yeah, yeah. I’m actually Yeah, I like that. Because I, I would say I’m not really afraid to take risks. In that way. Like, that’s what it is, it has made me learn that it’s okay to take risks. And you don’t have to like, fit into a box to do what you want to do, if that makes sense. Like, you can take transferable skills from whatever you’re doing now into something that you want to do later. So like, just making sure that you’re connecting things together, and that you see it in that way and can present it in that way. This is like really important. As an unfolding mystery, I would say like, that’s been helpful for me, just something that I wanted to share.

Zeke:  Okay, so with all that what would you say have been the most enjoyable part of your journey so far?

Laísa:  The most enjoyable part, I think is just taking the knowledge that I’ve learned every time and then letting somebody else know how to get there as well. That has been like really fulfilling. Like, personally, it is really enjoyed, like mentoring and helping students to achieve their goals. But like for my dad, specifically, I think just learning from my team, it’s always okay to ask for help. You know, and it’s, I think it’s an environment that showcases help and then like somebody else will, will help you teach you the right way. And things like that. Like, I’m really grateful for that. And I think that that’s one thing to be joyful, because I would want to be in a place that, you know, doesn’t allow you to fail and have been didn’t know, how is that going to help you grow? So I just feel that sense of growth because I’m constantly learning.

Zeke:  Nice things, a theme in theses episodes is like, going to have the people around you that you trust me you can build from and integrity tech, is it easy for you to build connections with people? Or do you have to look for them? Actively look for them?

Laísa:  I think, definitely if you’re somebody if you’re somebody that wants to go, definitely no pre COVID there’s so many right now other than meetups are alive. And they do have spreadsheets that DNA can connect other people. So just keeping an eye out for that and dissipating on those, I think is very important.

Zeke:  And if not tech what would be the backup plan.

Laísa:  I well, I think this is tough one because everything’s technology. Like I’m in it. But I also do like some UX help some small businesses with their websites. And so those are usually my go to, but I think if that was not the case, I would probably be drawing comics again. That’s one thing that I enjoy doing too. Yeah.

Zeke:  And then with UX, how’s it my time to speak out? What the user face would be like? How is it like trying to figure out what? Somebody someone comes in a landing page? How would they interact with it? I was like reversing that process.

Laísa:  Yeah, it all depends on what what the target audience for the business they are designed to, is looking for. And you have to do the research. And there’s many tools out there for you to research. And then once you do the research, you have to see how you want the information to be, like configured on the website. So is it possible for people to come in and get get to the point to what they want, and they should know their website for that. So it’s just a lot of times doing research and understanding human behavior, especially with the lab and things like that. That’s, that’s mostly like, the UI, as well as the like the research and the information is (inaudible) mostly what I do.

Zeke:  Cool because I remember when I was trying to create the website for the podcast, like how can somebody look at this? And how would they interact with it? But also how they interact with it, they keep coming back? Is that the return customer versus a new customer channel?

Laísa:  Yeah, yeah. So there’s definitely like, there’s a lot that goes into it. It’s very, it’s very, it’s just fulfilling to to make things accessible, you know, because there’s so much information out there, how can we make it accessible so that everybody can get a chance to see it and understand it?

Zeke:  Coming up in half an hour, so a few more questions. So with that, what kind of advice you have for somebody who wants to be in a, in a field in a similar role or a different role in tech?

Laísa:  My advice is to practice your coding skills, live code, it’s really great hack around. I think Free Code. Free Code Camp is one of them cut Academy, there’s so many tools out there, find what works for you. Coursera. There’s nanodegrees happening. Yeah, if you if you don’t want to, like go to a computer science college course, there’s other students out there. But if you are in a degree that data science, I would recommend leetcode definitely, because you want to be able to pass those interviews. technical interviews are extremely difficult. And there’s so many stages. So definitely want to do a good job. And yeah, and practice in network, be part of meetup groups, by groups on LinkedIn. The companies that you’d like to work for, really understand what you want to do so they can tailor your resume towards that position. Yeah. Yeah. work. And practice, practice.

Zeke:  According to us for ourselves, like, hmm, know what my major was okay.

Laísa:  Yeah. So many stages.

Zeke:  And come up in the last like, one minute. So last question I have is what would you name your origin story?

Laísa:  Right now, what I can think of is that with my head is awakening.

Zeke:  Cool. Yeah. Man. Any thing you want to promote that people can find you fine?

Laísa:  Yeah, you can find me on Twitter at business wise, or on Instagram at underscore this is my podcast to the end if you see my Instagram.

Zeke:  Yeah. Nice. And before any questions for me. Well, nice enough.

Laísa:  Yeah. Well, thank you so much for having me and for doing this and like gathering all these people to talk.

Zeke:  Anytime. Thanks for coming on. And I’ll see you guys later.

Zeke: Thanks for coming on you see you guys later. That brings another episode of the Let;s Gather Podcast to a close again, you can find her podcast This is Me by clicking the link in description below or going to all major podcasting platforms. For next week. I have the host of the Panic Bro’s and Panic Room Podcast. I hope continue to have a nice day and I hope to see you there.