Distinguished Computer Science Alumni Lecture - Panel Discussion on Non-Software Careers
Wed Jan 31, 2024 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Griffith Theater - Bryan Center, 27710
Description
Announcing the resurrection of the Duke Distinguished Computer Science Alumni Lecture series! For this first session, join the students in Professor Owen Astrachan's CS 342 for a panel discussion by Duke Computer Science alumni on their careers outside the software industry.
Speakers:
- Lenore Hill T'00
Despite growing up as the daughter of a Duke CS faculty member, Lenore wanted to be an artist from an early age. Upon matriculating at Duke, she changed her mind and declared her major in Computer Science. Following graduation, she spent the following 18 years working in software engineering and IT for IBM, Duke University Libraries and Duke's Office of Information Technology. At the age of 42, she retired and turned her artistic aspirations into a successful business by selling her jewelry and paintings on Etsy. Lenore is the co-chair of the soon to be announced Duke Alumni with Disabilities affinity group. Additional community service efforts include having been elected as President of the Board of Directors of the Durham Co-op Market and President of the Durham FM Association. - Kasper Kubica T'17
Kasper Kubica is the cofounder of Carpe, which makes simple and effective sweat products for the entire body. He started the company in 2014 while a freshman at Duke, graduating from the university in 2017 with degrees in physics and computer science. Over the past ten years, Carpe has grown from an extremely popular hand antiperspirant to the #1 dermatologist recommended brand for sweat all over the body. - Jennifer Bedell T'03
After graduating from Duke in 2003 with a BA in computer science, Jennifer disappointed her parents by eschewing gainful employment to launch an online comic-book subscription service out of her garage. Against the advice of everyone who had any sense, the business expanded into brick-and-mortar retail in 2006, and doubled its footprint in 2012. Today, Atomic Empire is the largest tabletop game store in the eastern US, providing a home for local player communities and hosting regional tournaments, while the on-site warehouse supports a robust e-commerce operation and the original subscription service. When she's not maintaining Atomic's 20-year-old codebase, Jennifer enjoys competing in autocross, playing roguelikes, and loudly critiquing genre fiction.
This session is in-person only but plans are to livestream future sessions.