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Portrait of Bethany Gilden

Computer Science, B.S. | Class of

Bethany Gilden

Chief Information Officer

Employer: Cal Poly Humboldt

Job description: The Chief Information Officer is responsible for all aspects of HSU's information technology systems, services, budget, and staff. The CIO fosters innovation, prioritizes technology initiatives, collaborates with stakeholders to further University strategic and operational goals, and provides leadership to the IT unit.

About Bethany


Why did you choose this program?

I was pursuing a different major and took a programming course on a whim. I fell in love with programming, and the professor convinced me to change majors. I'd never thought that *I* could be someone that could program. Learning to program opens you up to the beauty of solving problems.

How did this program prepare you for your job?

Learning to program helps you think about problems differently: it forces you to break things down into smaller chunks to really find a solution. That skill will help you in any job as you tackle all the problems that come your way.

What did you enjoy most about the program?

The faculty took their time to support me and encourage me to do more than I thought I could.

What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?

Find a way to put what you are learning in class to work! Get an internship or job that will help you apply the skills as you go!