I graduated in May 2020 with a degree in computer science and a clear idea of the career path I thought I wanted: secure an entry level position with the experience I gained during my undergraduate internships and climb my way up the ladder at one of many software engineering firms. But after more than a year of uncertainty due to COVID and an unforgiving job market, I come realized that I wanted to change direction and pursue the passion for history that I’d left on the sidelines. It occurred to me recently that what I really enjoyed about developing software was the process of gathering information, analyzing a problem, and executing a satisfying solution. I enjoy critical thinking, but I need a broader context before I feel satisfied that my efforts are worthwhile. This is why I love learning about history.Now that I've completed my Master's degree, I've developed the experience and direction I need to start my career in public history. At ASU, I worked for a number of student positions, including the Enterprise Policy Analysis Group and the Public History Program led by Dr. Mark Tebeau. As a policy analyst, I developed both technical and communication skills by scripting and developing platforms to collect information on government opportunities and convey them to leadership. As a historian with the public history program, I conducted oral histories at Boyce Thompson Southwest Arboretum, digitized their vast array of documents, and created a finding aid for use by staff and researchers. I was a project lead at both positions, and I organized both student workers and interviewees while ensuring timely delivery and professional standards.I'm looking now to step into a full time role in public history where I can utilize the skills I developed both as a Computer Science major and a student of history. I'm inspired by positions that communicate the importance of history to the public and I hope to use my abilities to preserve cultural understanding and encourage critical thinking about the past and the world we live in.