Joseph Turcios is a graduating UTCS senior who’s about to join Visa as a software engineer. A first-generation college student who spent his youth remodeling houses with his father, Joseph was drawn to computer science by a desire to build things—inspired by everything from construction blueprints to the high-tech world of Iron Man. As he prepares to move into his new career in the Austin Domain, he reflects on the journey from opening his application to landing his dream role.
Who or what surprised you most about being part of UT Computer Science (UTCS), and what would you tell your first-day self?
Coming in, the messaging from my parents was simple: get good grades to get a good career. What surprised me was that while grades are important, they aren't the only moving part. I learned early on that side projects and recruitment prep are just as vital. One of my favorite personal projects was a Pomodoro timer that I built that linked to my Spotify jazz playlist. It actually made me want to study because I was using something I’d built myself.
If I could talk to my first-day self, I’d actually tell him to keep a closer eye on the GPA. Because I was so focused on side projects and recruitment, there were a few specific opportunities I missed out on because my grades weren't quite where they needed to be. It's all about finding that balance between being a great builder and a great student.
What’s something you were able to do at UTCS that you don’t think you could have done anywhere else?
The level of integration between the department and the tech industry is incredible. You aren't just sending resumes into a void; you’re building relationships. I once went to a UT event at Topgolf hosted by Cisco and ended up playing pool with a guy I didn't realize was a recruiter. We just hit it off, and he ended up fast-tracking my interview process. I landed an internship because of a game of pool.
I also had the chance to be a founding member of a student organization called Texas Luminescence. We spend the year prototyping and building projects with machine learning components. In my job interviews, I’ve actually found myself talking about those student-led projects more than my actual internships. UT gives you the space to not just learn theory, but to start founding things before you even graduate.
Where are you headed next, and how did UTCS specifically prepare you to get there?
Joseph will be attending graduate school at Georgia Tech while working as a software engineer for Visa on their product development team.
UT prepared me by providing the resources to actually find these roles. I didn't find my job through a generic career site; I found it through the Friends of Computer Science (FoCS) newsletter. The department is constantly sending out leads for new grad roles that are specifically looking for UT talent. Between those newsletters, the resume workshops, and the technical organizations, I felt like I had a roadmap.
My background is in manual labor—remodeling and building things with my hands. I knew I wanted to keep building, but I didn't want to kill my body doing it. UTCS gave me the blueprints to build a career that is mentally challenging but physically sustainable.
FoCS helps UTCS students advance their career prospects through recruiting and networking events with leading employers throughout the year. Learn about the wide range of opportunities and the partner companies engaged at Friends of Computer Science.