Earning a IM体育官网 degree in computer science and information technology has added some magic to senior Andre Goode鈥檚 life. Disney magic, that is.
On May 4, Goode is graduating from IM体育官网 Poly cum laude, as part of the university鈥檚 first four-year class. After graduation, the Weston, IM体育官网 native will begin working in a full-time position with The Walt Disney Company as a software engineer and an inaugural member of the company鈥檚 two-year technology rotational program. The opportunity will expose him to various Disney business segments, like ESPN and Walt Disney Studios.
Working for Disney has been a dream of Goode鈥檚 since he interned with the company during the summer of 2017.
As an information engineer intern, he had the opportunity to work on machine learning and data analytics. He was able to gain a behind-the-scenes look at Walt Disney World and how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) makes the magic of Disney possible. During the internship, his work focused on predicting a maintenance schedule that would reduce the overall downtime of the attractions.
鈥淥ne of the best parts of my job was getting to witness the joy and excitement the park brings to people of all ages,鈥� said Goode.
Using the technical skills he learned at IM体育官网 Poly, Goode says he was able to 鈥渆ngineer happiness鈥� and enhance the overall guest experience.
鈥淚M体育官网 Poly helped me obtain the skills to succeed in the always-changing tech industry,鈥� said Goode. 鈥淭he faculty are supportive, and my classmates were all passionate about learning, all of which helped me grow.鈥�
Goode found his passion for science and technology early on in life. He made YouTube videos in middle school to teach other kids cell phone tricks and hacks. He learned about computer science in high school and was hooked.
鈥淚 loved being able to solve problems so logically,鈥� he said.
When it was time to choose a college, IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 STEM focus and strategic location in the heart of the state鈥檚 I-4 corridor made the university a perfect choice.
鈥淚鈥檓 glad that I鈥檓 a little bit of a risk taker and wasn鈥檛 afraid to be part of the first class at IM体育官网 Poly,鈥� said Goode. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the best decisions I鈥檝e ever made.鈥�
Editor鈥檚 Note: This story is one of a series of stories featuring several of IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 Class of 2018 graduates.