Alice Liu ’21 recognizes the importance of efficiency. So, when she began attending Cheshire Academy classes remotely at the start of the pandemic, she quickly figured out how to boost her productivity as a student. The best way? By developing a computer application to ensure she would never miss a Zoom session. 

The application she created, as well as her general interest in technology and STEM fields, earned her the 2021 Connecticut Affiliate Honorable Mention Award from the National Center for Women and Information Technology’s Award for Aspirations in Computing. Liu and other award recipients were recognized during a virtual ceremony on April 14. 

In order to be considered for the award, Liu submitted answers to a questionnaire, including what sparked her interest in computing, and a writeup on the application she developed. The Zoom application, she said, automatically opens Zoom links at the meeting’s scheduled time and date. In order to develop the app, she learned and used Python, a computer programming language. 

“I can see myself pursuing this as my career because it enables me to solve complex problems in real life,” Liu said. “Computer science is challenging, and technology is always changing, encouraging me to keep learning in order to advance with the times.” 

As part of the awards celebration, Liu heard from a variety of speakers, including Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut’s 109th lieutenant governor. As part of her address, Bysiewicz spoke passionately about closing the gender gap, including encouraging more girls and women to pursue careers in STEM fields—something that resonated with Liu due to her interest in the profession. 

Liu was also invited to a private Facebook group with other NCWIT awardees, where they continue to share information about scholarships, internships, and other activities. “It’s been beneficial to speak with and learn from women who are also interested in computing or working in STEM fields.” Since Liu will be attending Northeastern University in the fall as a computer science major, she is appreciative that the Facebook group created a platform for her to meet more college students and learn from their experiences, such as how to build a resume, prepare for internships, and recommendations on which clubs to join.