ACT | The App Association recognizes the gap in representation in the tech community, and we want to change that. Our Amplify series lifts the voices of those in the tech community who are working to close gaps in representation. We’re highlighting the problem solvers, elevating those who are driving change in their field, and amplifying the efforts and voices of all people.
Tyler McBride, of Bowie State University, joined us at ACT | The App Association as part of our Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) internship program this summer as our data science intern. Tyler has an impressive background (more on that below) but don’t just take it from us. We sat down with Tyler to learn more about the path that brought him to the App Association this summer and what excites him about tech policy and the app economy!
Who is Tyler McBride? (Tell us a little about you)
I’m a computer scientist in my senior year at Bowie State University where I’m a third generation STEM major – my mother is a computer scientist, and my grandfather was an electrical engineer. I live in Southern Maryland, and my family is originally from Philadelphia. My hobbies are video games, 3D printing, reading, and programming. Some of my biggest inspirations are Mathew Henson, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Mae Jemison, and my family.
Tell us more about your experience studying computer science. What has that been like?
I was introduced to computer science by my family – in addition to my mother and grandfather who piqued my interest, I also have a brother and two cousins who are computer scientists. They introduced me to coding in high school, and I picked it up more intensely during my freshman year of college.
Something I’m well aware of, and that statistics support, is the lack of diversity in the computer science field and STEM/STEAM overall. I feel this is due to a lack resources for STEM job training in the Black community and other communities of color. Luckily, the computer science department at Bowie State University is combating this inaccessibility by offering a rigorous and extensive computer science program. The program equips students with the tools needed to work efficiently and effectively in a computer science position. Students often have issues finding employment post-grad. The Bowie State computer science department fights this issue by prioritizing student employment and making sure all students have summer internships and research opportunities to build work experience while still in school.
Mentorship and community are crucial when it comes to education and professional development. How have community/mentors helped shape your experience?
Mentorship in the computer science community is crucial. It is possible to be self-taught, but figuring out the proper paths to take in regard to your education can be difficult. This is why mentors are important. They guide your educational journey, make sure you’re learning applicable skills for the work environment, and ensure you’re not spending large amounts of time on skills you won’t need.
I would consider one of my favorite professors at Bowie to be a mentor. She’s taught me an object-oriented style of coding using C++ programming language. She would give Yoda-like feedback on programs and projects, saying what I did wrong without giving away the answer. This style of feedback forced me and other students to think critically about our problems and come up with our solutions independently.
So, what got you interested in tech generally, but also tech policy here at the App Association?
I’ve been interested in tech and computer science ever since I was a kid. I have always been fascinated by remotes, RC cars, and other wireless devices. Their functionality seemed like magic, and I was determined to understand this sorcery. I was introduced to programming in high school by my brother and picked it up more intensely in college.
Outside of school, I started to focus on the hardware side of computer science. The summer after my freshman year, my brother and I built our own personal computer from scratch. In the following months, I integrated the internet of things (IoT) into my everyday life, automating the electronics in my bedroom such as my lights, fan, and television. Being able to turn off and on my lights with the sound of my voice gives me the same sense of magic I got from remotes in my childhood.
Healthcare tech policy has been the most interesting field I’ve worked in during my time at the App Association because it opened my eyes to how the IoT universe and automation can change the lives of those with specific health issues. When it comes to the intersection of connected health technology and data science, it seems like the possibilities to lead to better patient outcomes are endless.
After a summer at the App Association, what would you say is the issue we work on you get most excited about?
As previously stated, working on healthcare tech and connected health policy has opened my eyes to a fascinating and fast-growing computer science field. Innovations in healthcare tech can change the lives of millions of people who rely on this tech. My time at the App Association has given me the opportunity to see firsthand how ineffective policies can stifle innovation around connected health, as well as how effective policies can empower the people who create it.
And what about tech and the future of tech and the app economy? What excites you most there?
The Information Age is in full swing and just as steel was the raw material of the Industrial Age, data is the raw material of the Information Age. For this reason, I feel the work I’ve been doing at the App Association is both fascinating and important. Data science is key to innovation and the industries of the future – from machine learning algorithms that produce groundbreaking new datasets to the data visualization tools that will be used to illustrate that data. Data science is at the forefront of innovation, and it is truly an exciting field in which to work!
I end with this question: if you had a piece of advice for young Black men or young people generally —especially in this industry—what would it be?
Some advice that really helped me in my journey into the professional world was “Don’t change yourself to try to conform to preconceived notions of professionalism. If you work your hardest and always deliver what is asked of you, you will succeed no matter what.”