Get Career-Ready with: Ethan Villa '25, Applied Computer Science Major Student Profile
Photo by Ethan Stoner '25.
Meet Ethan Villa '25
- Major/Program
- Applied Computer Science
- College Activities
- Point Park Men's Soccer and Golf
- Hometown
- Harker Heights, Texas
- High School
- Harker Heights High School
- Now Living In
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Dream Job
- Software developer
- Hobbies & Interests
- Being active, food and adventure
"I would recommend Point Park to a prospective student because you have the option to live in the city where adventure is calling. There is so much you can do just walking around Pittsburgh, not to mention taking a bus to its many different neighborhoods."
Why did you choose Point Park?
I chose Point Park University because I was unhappy at my previous university, and I wanted a better college experience. I also transferred here so I could continue playing soccer.
Which Point Park faculty members have had a significant impact on you?
I really like the faculty in the applied computer science program. Professors Jeffrey Seaman and Mark Voortman are great teachers and mentors who have taught me what it will be like in the real world in this field. They have provided me with opportunities to work on projects that simulate what real-world companies do. They also teach us about the latest practices in the industry, and they are very open people.
Professor Seaman has taught almost all of my coding classes for the past four years, and he has guided me and my classmates in the right direction. I never felt discouraged in class when something didn't work. He would make time to help us, and I am grateful for his support. He has helped me grow as a developer.
You recently collaborated on a real-world computer science project with your classmates. Tell us about that experience.
We worked on a web application for SunFresh Wine and Food to manage their customer orders, shipments and inventory. I have worked on the project for about two years and was there at the start of the project. I learned what it is like to work on a large-scale project in a group where we all had specific tasks to complete in order to achieve our shared goals. I learned how to use different systems like Azure DevOps, which helped with our workflow and assigning tasks, and Github, which allowed us to access the project and update it with new features. I learned how to keep a project's testing version and main version separate and what it's like to create an application from scratch. This project is the most valuable experience I've had in my degree program, and I am happy to still be working on it. It is deeply fulfilling to see how far the application has come.
@pointparku Follow along with Ethan Villa '25 as he gets career-ready as an applied computer science major at Point Park! ⚽ ⛳ 👏 See what its like to transfer to a new university and get involved on campus in athletics, your major and more. #PointParkU #PointParkUniversity #DowntownPittsburgh #GetCareerReady #AppliedComputerScience #AppliedComputerScienceMajor #TransferStudent ♬ original sound - Point Park University
How has your involvement with athletics enhanced your college experience?
Athletics has given me a family outside of my own. When I came here, I was really homesick because I am the only one in my family on the east coast. Meeting my teammates and spending every day with them gave me another family. I've made friends with people from all over the world, including Europe, North and South America and Asia. I've made memories with my teammates that I will never forget.
Athletics also taught me discipline and drive because every day I had to wake up and go to practice, lift weights or travel, and I learned how to juggle everything at once and make the best use of my time. I learned how I can be my best self, even if I don’t want to do something.
What do you like about living and learning in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is beautiful. The city itself is small, but the bright lights, rivers and bridges are unlike anything I have ever seen. Now that undergraduate students have access to free public transit with the U-Pass program, we can travel and see what Pittsburgh truly has to offer. There is the North Shore, Strip District, Oakland, Shadyside and so much more. Each neighborhood has its own culture. There are always events going on for all kinds of interests. I learned how to navigate through the city, how people from all over live and what brought them to Pittsburgh.
Why would you recommend Point Park to a prospective student?
I would recommend Point Park to a prospective student because you have the option to live in the city where adventure is calling. There is so much you can do just walking around Pittsburgh, not to mention taking a bus to its many different neighborhoods. Point Park has industry-experienced professors and a range of amenities, including a gym, study lounges, basketball court and on-campus dorms and apartments. Due to its downtown location, there are many opportunities right next door. You're also able to utilize Point Park resources after you graduate, like the Professional Career-Readiness Center, which is a rare benefit.
Anything else you would like to add?
Point Park holds a special place in my heart as the friends and mentors I have made helped me become the person I am today. Class times are reasonable, and I was able to have one day a week where I did not have any classes, which was great. I am a commuter, and for those who want to commute to Point Park, it is worth it. You can take a bus to campus because many of the routes go through downtown. If you decide to drive to campus, there are convenient paid parking options nearby. If you're able to commute by car, I really encourage you to explore all of Pittsburgh. This city is so much more than just downtown.
