Justin Rutledge
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Justin RutledgeMay 2025 Hometown: Huntsville, AL Current Job: Federal Employee (US Army) / Software Product Manager Graduate Program: Computer Science |
How have your studies in the program factored into your career goals? Any influential mentors on campus?
“I decided to pursue an MS Computer Science degree for three primary reasons: to refresh my knowledge of theory and technique in the field, to familiarize myself with the current state of research, and to advance my understanding of emerging technologies such as machine learning and quantum computing.
I finished a BS Computer Science degree in 2015 from a different institution and have been working for government since then. I began government work as a junior software developer, worked briefly in field support for US Army telecommunication networks, and currently hold a position for the US Army as a civilian that facilitates the development of a government-owned software application used as a test tool for interoperability of missile defense systems.
I value being a lifelong learner and maintaining knowledge of current developments in my field. I believe familiarity with machine learning models and quantum information technologies will equip me to make informed decisions with regards to these technologies in public service over the course of my career, and to find novel applications as the technologies mature.
The most influential figure on campus to me so far has been Dr. Yu Liang, who holds high standards in the classroom and challenges his students to master the coursework. He has made himself available to me both in and out of class and I look forward to continuing to learn under his guidance.”
Why UTC?
“A necessary condition for choosing UTC is because of its proximity to Huntsville, AL where the organization I work for is headquartered and where I have family. I also love the city of Chattanooga and enjoy living somewhere that is relatively small but continually transforming and growing. So far, I have found a great community in this city and will miss the area if/when I depart.
My sufficient condition for choosing UTC was because of the courses listed in the graduate computer science program of study. As mentioned, I have a distinct interest in AI, ML, and quantum information science. This particular degree program allows me to study these interests in depth.”
Favorite thing to do in Chattanooga?
“I moved here in August 2023 and have spent around four months here at the time of writing. One of my favorite things about living here is the ability to bicycle to campus. I live several miles away, but close to the Riverwalk cycling trail that allows me to avoid negotiating with traffic and get some exercise while commuting. I also very much enjoy the plentiful number of coffee shops and breweries in the area. I’ve been able to quickly make friends with like-minded people at many of the community-oriented businesses around town.
Have you changed during your time at UTC?
“Yes, I believe we are always changing as individuals regardless of where we find ourselves. My experiences at UTC have exposed me to more challenging academics than I’ve previously been exposed to and have allowed interaction with a highly intelligent group of driven individuals from diverse backgrounds that I would not otherwise have the pleasure of getting to know.
Additionally, my time returning to academics has helped me to break out of an ingrained 9-to-5 work mindset and allow for more creative time management throughout the day as a whole, encouraging, for instance, lengthy breaks between classes, exercising throughout the day via cycling to campus, and making more deliberate and focused efforts with the time that I spend on my work duties. I feel as though I somehow have more pockets of free time during a given day, and that less time is wasted when I apply focus on work or academics.”
Best part of going through the graduate program?
“The best part of my experience in this program so far is the material being taught. I am very happy to have found a school that met the criteria and program of study I was looking for, and that the material is of high quality and challenges me as a student.”
Advice for any incoming graduate students?
“Be prepared to apply yourself outside of the classroom. Much of the time I have spent outside of class has been working on projects, learning “around” the subject being taught (that is, filling gaps of knowledge or refreshing knowledge that I haven’t used since my undergraduate studies), and reading academic journals for current topics in the field. Have your personal and work affairs in order before beginning the semester so that you can apply yourself academically.
If you’re back to school after 8+ years since your undergrad and haven’t needed to use any math beyond basic algebra in your professional life like me, brush up on your mathematics. Kahn Academy is a great resource for this. It’s not strictly necessary, but I was surprised at how far my math skills had diminished over the years and how much effort it took to refresh those skills. Doing this before or at the beginning of your first semester will certainly help you succeed in the CECS Computer Science and Engineering department.”