Derik Hendriksen double-majored in philosophy and political science during his undergraduate studies with the intention of attending law school. However, while preparing for the LSAT, he encountered a roadblock: he discovered the law wasn’t his true calling.
A corporate category management job also failed to kindle his passion, but he was discovering something that did: technology. This growing enthusiasm led him to the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science at Tufts University, where he mastered the computing fundamentals typically acquired by computer science majors during their college education. Henriksen recently completed the post-baccalaureate program and plans to continue his studies in the Tufts online Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program.
In the interview that follows, Hendriksen explains why he chose the Tufts online post-baccalaureate program and discusses his transition to the master’s program, his online learning experience, advice for prospective students, and his future plans.
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Tell us about your background and what brought you to the Tufts computer science pathways program.
As an undergrad, I double-majored in philosophy and political science and planned to attend law school. But, while studying for the LSAT, I realized law wasn’t the right path for me. I was spinning my wheels a bit, so I accepted a corporate job doing category management but didn’t see myself there long term.
I’ve always had a strong interest in tech and have worked on projects independently, but I lacked the credentials to enter the field. I decided the best way to move forward would be to advance my education. I enrolled in the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science program at Tufts University because I thought it suited me perfectly.
Why did you choose the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science and, subsequently, the Master of Science in Computer Science program? What motivated that decision, and how did you first learn about this option?
In my first year of college, I took an entry-level computer science class, which wasn’t a good fit for me. After graduation, I considered returning to school for a more concrete computer science education, but I was uncertain because my initial experience wasn’t great.
Instead of pursuing a master’s degree, I applied to the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science program. I wanted to make sure I could get through the course work before committing to a master’s in computer science.
While researching options online, I found a few reputable programs that offered what I was looking for, including Tufts. I knew a lot about Tufts, and several friends were pursuing post-grad work there, so it was a good option. I applied and was excited when I got accepted.
To clarify, you have not yet started the master’s?
I finished the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science program this semester and will start the Tufts online MSCS next semester. The continuity is great; nothing will change for me. Moving from the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science to the online MSCS program is straightforward and the application process is easy. The online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science program has prepared me well for what I will see in the master’s program. There are a few core requirement classes in the master’s program that are also covered in the post-baccalaureate program, so there’s a lot of overlap that helps make the transition seamless.
Can you share an enjoyable project or experience from class that would help other students understand what it’s like to be in the program?
One of my main interests at Tufts is learning more about cybersecurity. A lead security architect at one of my previous roles told me the field is split pretty evenly between people with soft skills and those with hard skills. He has a JD and mentioned how interesting it is to have a blend of both skill sets in cybersecurity.
That conversation sparked my interest in the Introduction to Security class with Ming Chow. The awesome thing about that class was that the final assessment was a ‘capture the flag’ game, which provided hands-on experience with some of the skills you’ll need in cybersecurity, like cracking passwords and cross-site scripting. It had an active scoreboard that, and your performance impacted your final grade. It was a fun project and required a lot of collaboration, reflecting the teamwork essential in the cybersecurity field. So many good resources were available in that class and at Tufts to help us succeed.
I love that you mentioned collaboration. Many prospective students wonder if they’ll get enough support or opportunities to collaborate. What has it been like for you studying online? Has it created any additional challenges?
The online format has worked better for me than being in person. During my undergrad, I found it difficult to pay attention to live lectures in class and would spend a lot of time reviewing materials on my own to keep up. In this program, the lectures are prerecorded, allowing you to pause and review them as often as needed. I’ve been able to digest the course content better because I can take my time.
I understand why some might miss the in-person experience, but the program provides plenty of opportunities for collaboration and extensive support from faculty members. I’ve met with Marty Allen, director of online programs, computer science, twice in the last two weeks to discuss my transition from the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science program to the online MSCS program. You hear about computer scientists working in a room alone, but that hasn’t been my experience. The Tufts program fosters connection and collaboration in a way that I didn’t expect.
How have you balanced full-time studies with everything else in your life? Has it worked well for you?
I actually took my first class at Tufts while still working my corporate job. The commute from my apartment to the office made it difficult to manage both, so I decided to leave my job and focus on the program full time. However, most of my classmates work full time, and many of them take two classes simultaneously. I’ve only heard positive feedback from them.
While it requires a lot of work—which is what you’d expect from a graduate program—balancing the workload has been pretty easy. You have to put in the work to succeed but, as previously mentioned, the faculty is very supportive. There are plenty of opportunities to meet with professors and attend office hours. Anytime you feel like you need additional support, there’s always somebody available to help.
What advice would you give to someone considering the program? Is there anything you wish you had known when you were considering it?
I would tell people to stop overthinking it and go for it because I spent a lot of time debating whether to apply. You’re not getting any younger, so the best advice that I could give would be to take the plunge.
It’s just been such a great experience. I’ve learned that it’s important to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s natural to feel apprehensive about whether you can handle something new, but you’ll never know until you try. And people are always around to help and support you at Tufts. So, if you’re considering the program, you should just go for it.
What are your future plans? What do you hope to do after finishing the program?
I’m interested in a couple of different areas. One is the intersection of computer science and health technology, like wearable tech. I also think cybersecurity is cool, and I expect the field to have more job opportunities in the coming years. A lot of advice I’ve received suggests that cybersecurity is more of an ‘end-game’ career, so my initial goal is to find a job after graduation that sets me up for a future in that field. Ultimately, anything that is team-based and collaborative would suit me well.
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