[MUSIC PLAYING]
INSTRUCTOR: Here's how it goes.
Your job is to find three that completely match or completely
don't match.
[BELL RINGS]
AMANDA BUI THROUGH TRANSLATOR: I love logic.
It helps my analytics skills and it helps me learn more
about speed and space.
And it keeps your mind sharp and running quickly.
Thanks.
That was fun.
I like the game.
My name is Amanda Bui and my sign name is Amanda.
I am deaf.
I was born in California.
My parents are from Vietnam.
They immigrated here to have a better life.
My parents really encouraged me to think about speaking,
so I had speech therapy for a very long time.
I was able to sign and speak.
It would help lead my life in both directions
so I could communicate in both worlds.
My mom is a retired programmer, so I started learning HTML
during elementary school.
I go to school in Rochester, New York.
It's known as Rochester Institute of Technology and I
attend the College of NTID--
National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
I'm a third year student.
BRIAN THROUGH TRANSLATOR: We have developed a new program--
mobile app development.
There were not a lot of other programs
offered for mobile apps.
AMANDA BUI: I really want to be able to help make changes
in the world, and there are a lot of ways that technology
can be very beneficial.
When I came here my first year, I felt that my world changed.
Good morning!
DAVID: How are you?
AMANDA BUI: David is the chairperson
of the Department of Information and Computer Studies.
DAVID: How are you this morning?
AMANDA BUI: He's worked with me now for three years.
DAVID: Keeping up with technology is critical.
Software development is a hot field.
BRIAN: It's critical to invest in this type of education,
especially for deaf and hard of hearing individuals,
so they can be included with the modern skill
set that is necessary in the industry today.
When the National Science Foundation
saw that and recognized it, they felt
that it was worthwhile to invest in our program.
The National Science Foundation has the program under it.
Advanced Technology Education, and that program
funds this program here at NTID.
I am seeing wonderful impact and results.
DAVID: The students-- they've developed, they've grown,
they've become fantastic role models.
AMANDA BUI: When I look back, I was really not good at coding.
I was weak in that area.
I worked with David and Brian and they really helped me
and encouraged me to continue.
CHRISTINE THROUGH TRANSLATOR: Sometimes if I'm working on my homework, I will ask Amanda,
and she will explain it to me in a different way that
helps me understand it.
AMANDA BUI: I can read your body language and you can read mine,
so we know if we need help with something.
For three years, I think we've done really well
as a team working together.
TODD: The value was working with a smaller group of people
and being able to really see them learn or stumble
and help them through it.
And I learned a lot at the same time--
AMANDA BUI: Todd taught me in class
about how to use application of web servers
and use that in my capstone project.
In fall of 2019, I took my capstone course.
STUDENT THROUGH TRANSLATOR: OK, so if you use up to 250, then you're done.
AMANDA BUI: A mobile app to control a greenhouse.
My capstone was successful and it worked.
And now this year, I will be working with Microsoft
as an intern.
BRIAN: Obviously you have the confidence to be able to say,
this is what I want and you went for that.
AMANDA BUI: When I think about the last few years,
I think I have personally changed a lot, too,
and I've done that with all of your support.
I think I'm going to be prepared for Microsoft, now.
I really see myself as growing and chasing my dreams.
Microsoft wants people to show their abilities
and who they are, and I feel like I fit with that idea.
I'm deaf.
I'm Asian.
I'm a woman.
And I'm a computer scientist.
[MUSIC PLAYING]