Computer Vision News - April 2018

29 Mona Jalal I did a Bachelor’s at one of the top ten schools in Iran. Then I did my Master’s at the rank 1 university, Sharif. Then, I went to the US where I learned everyone did a PhD, so I did the same, in electrical engineering at Wisconsin- Madison. Also I had to study computer science as a minor. It was an obligation and I’m so happy that I did because when I was taking computer science courses, I discovered how much I loved computer science. I felt like I was doing more innovative things in computer science rather than in electrical engineering. During my third year, things didn’t work out between me and my advisor. Then I felt like I loved computer science so I gave up electrical engineering. Many people wondered why I did this. They asked me why I would give up during my third year of electrical engineering when I could just finish in two more years. I said, “You don’t have to continue doing something that you don’t love just because you are good at it.” I was actually very good at it. I didn’t think I should continue because I loved something else more. I had to discontinue my PhD in electrical engineering to a Master’s in electrical engineering because I was already three years in. I took all of these courses in electrical engineering at a Grad level. I thought why not having a Master’s in electrical engineering after three years. Then I wanted to study a PhD in computer science. They told me that I didn’t have any background in computer science so I needed to study my Master’s first. So I did a Master’s in computer science and now I have three Master’s. It’s funny that I have to kind of hide this from people because they might ridicule me or mock me. Sometimes I say that I only have two Master’s, without the one from Iran. Give me one of your Master’s so that each of us has two! [ laughs ] Yes, that sounds good! A lot of people think that you should start your PhD right after your Master’s. I’m saying that not a lot of us have the same opportunities. What did you dream about as a kid? I don’t really remember my childhood before the age of five or six. I don’t remember if I had a dream. I remember that when I was in high school, I wanted to be in International Mathematical Olympiad. If you could say one thing to all students in the US, what would you say? I would tell everyone to be proactive, especially to Grad students. Apply for jobs. Apply for scholarships. Apply for grants. Apply for roles. Take initiatives. I have done that and I have seen the effects. Become a mentor for women, for men… Organize something to improve the ranking of your school or university and you will benefit from this too. One thing that I see is that even if they have the chance, they don’t take it. There are a lot of chances in the US. If you are given a chance, you should take the chance. Can you say that in one sentence? Take initiatives! Be proactive! Women in Science Computer Vision News photo: tree-hollow cottage