"Your level of creativity determines how much you can get from computer science."

-Love Bello

Love Bello is a Project Manager at CGI who uses her Computer Science degree to plan larger scale projects where she manages everything from the budget to risk assessment. Learn a little more about what a Computer Scientist may do in the future!

1. How do you work with computers? What kind of exciting things do you do?

I use computers to create project plans that include schedules, activities, how long the activities take, and resources assigned to do the tasks. I also use computers to manage the budgets for these large projects. These things would be far more tedious to execute if it wasn't for computers. Computers are very valuable when I am in the process of re-engineering a process. It gives me the ability to test certain ideas before implementing them in real life. Not only do I use computers for work related tasks but also as a versatile storage place, especially in my music work.

2. What field would you say has had the most development with computers?

In today's world, computers have become a natural part of everyday life. They continue to prove important and their use will continue to be progressively versatile. Though every field has embraced computers, it has become a game changer in medicine. For example, with a patient's permission a doctor can trace entire medical history through a shared database as opposed to waiting on paperwork from another hospital. It has also made a huge difference in e-commerce which has created a whole new set of diverse job opportunities for people. Financial analysts can now rely on sophisticated programs to predict investment trends or estimate yearly profit targets.

3. How did you become interested in computers?

Circumstances got me interested to be honest. I had wanted to study medicine but I couldn’t get into medical school. After applying a couple of times, I was offered Computer Science and in a bid not to waste my time I opted for computer science and here I am today almost ten years later!

"Value people in your day to day dealings and you will be amazed at how much you will be irreplaceable by computers."

4. What would you say to encourage younger kids who might be interested in computers?

Keep at it and don’t narrow your scope. Don’t restrict it to playing games but maximize its purpose and don't forget to think outside the box and be creative. Your level of creativity determines how much you can get from computer science. Widen your horizon!

5. There are a lot of questions regarding computers and how they affect us as a society, especially concerning the future of jobs and them being automated. Can you highlight on some of the negative or positive aspects of that?

Yes, that can be a valid concern but computers cannot take the place of human relationships. If you find yourself in a field like computer science you need to demonstrate more than just technical “know how”. Although computers can be trained to do anything, it is essential to have the technical knowledge with a blend of the human relationship aspect. Value people in your day to day dealings and you will be amazed at how much you will become irreplaceable by computers. Medicine has really embraced this concept, as you can have a surgeon in New York working on a patient in Saskatoon; this has made life easier in cases where you have few specialists in a particular field for example. A patient really doesn't have to travel to New York to have the specialist surgeon work on him or her but can be done ‘remotely’, saving both the patient's life and the cost of transferring the patient.

6. How could a young girl prepare for a future that will be heavily dominated by technology?

First, dream and keep the dream alive. Don’t feel intimidated and believe there is a vacuum out there for you to fill. Maximize every opportunity to learn so you can be on top of your game and so you can be prepared whenever a challenge comes knocking. It has more to do with drive than the technology. Don’t feel intimidated, it’s doable and you really can make a difference! Have confidence in yourself but be teachable.

7. What was the most challenging course during university and how did you get through it?

Discrete Mathematics. I guess what I did was to study with my colleagues and solve lots of past questions. Practice makes perfect! You can do it!

Wow, who knew computer science could be used for so many things? Or that it involved so much creativity? As this impressive field becomes more adaptable, I hope more young people will see the benefits of the various careers in Computer Science.

Role Models For Girls :Meet Love Bello, Computer Science Extraordinaire!