• Name: Mia Liza A. Lustria
• Hometown: Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines
• Where do you work? Florida State University
• What is your current job? Asst. Professor
• Hobbies: Reading, playing the piano, being with family

We appreciate you taking the time to serve as a role model for young people considering a possible degree and career in computing and IT.

Tell us about ...

1. Were you interested in computing and information technology in middle school and high school?
   I have always been interested in technology, although more from a socio-behavioral perspective - looking at how technology enhances people's lives, how it affects society, and how it can be harnessed for the greater good.
2. How did you become interested in the computing and information technology field?
   My dad was always interested in getting the latest gadgets and exposed us at a very early stage to the first computer models. Later, I became enamored with how much more I could do with technology, how this improved access to information, and how technology could be a applied in a variety of environments to empower people.
3. 3) In a couple of sentences, describe what you do in your job.
   I teach courses in information architecture and information science as well as the capstone course for graduating IT majors. I also do research in the area of consumer health informatics- which looks at how the current information environment has changed consumer information seeking behaviors and how best to harness information technologies to empower and educate patients.
4. Above all else, what excites you about the computing and IT field?
   What excites me the most are the infinite possibilities there are for using Technology to help people live better lives and for accessing information.
5. In your opinion, what are the perks (financial, job security, status, etc.) of having a career in computing and information technology?
   Teaching at an IT school certainly has its perks - first of all, salary rates are higher compared to other fields. Second, it's great to be able to work with very creative people who are at the cutting edge of technology.
6. In what ways do you find that your career in this field contributes to, in relative terms, a high quality of life?
   Since my main area of research is healthcare, I've seen how technology has revolutionized the way people seek information and how it has provided more access where before there was limited access. We are still learning more about how we can use technology to reach and educate vulnerable populations and I think this is where the greatest contribution will come from.
7. What would you tell young people who are considering pursuing a degree and career in computing and information technology?
   This is a very exciting and rewarding field in more ways than one. There are many opportunities to make a difference whether you want to focus on developing new and exciting technologies, or whether you want to be involved in finding ways to harness emerging technologies for the greater good.
8. In your experience, do the traditional stereotypes of the computing and IT nerd and geek hold true for most people in this field?
   Not at all. IT nerds come in all forms and sizes - no one would think I was an IT geek by looking at me and I don't think of myself that way anyway. I'm interested in technology and am not averse to using various tech tools to make my life easy. I'd still like to see more women get into our field though.
9. Talk about some of the obstacles you may have faced along the way in choosing, and working your way toward this degree.
   During my undergrad years, I'd thought about getting into computer science - the math scared me and I didn't think I was good enough to get into the field. Math still scares me, but at the same time, I found my way back to IT. Eventually, I learned that there are many aspects to IT that you could be involved/interested in. Everyone has a place in this field.