Georgia Tech OMS CS

Virtual registration is open until May 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET: https://omscs.gatech.edu/register-2026-omscs-conference

Registration is now open for the 2026 OMSCS Conference! The 4th iteration of the conference will take place on May 11-12, 2026 in the Global Learning Center at Georgia Tech, with a virtual option also available. The conference is an opportunity for OMSCS students and alumni to share their work and connect with the OMSCS community.

Register here: https://omscs.gatech.edu/register-2026-omscs-conference

We’ll see you there! 🐝

Join us for Lauren Saxton's talk on "People Over Pipelines: Lessons from a Career of Professional Experiments" on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. ET on Zoom: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/93970210073

Lauren Saxton is an AI Engineering Manager with a career defined by technical versatility and a "human-first" leadership philosophy. An alumna of the Georgia Tech OMSCS program, Lauren’s journey began as a student in Electrical Engineering before she discovered her passion for computer science and software development.

Her career spans the full tech stack and various leadership tiers—from consulting at Avanade and front-end development at Match.com to leading greenfield AI initiatives at Veeam. Lauren has navigated the high-growth environment of an IPO with NerdWallet, explored the startup world as a founder and individual contributor at various companies, and sharpened her strategic lens as a Technical Product Manager. Today, she focuses on building high-performing, human-centric AI teams that prioritize the individual as much as the code. Lauren is a firm believer that the best engineering cultures are built on empathy, transparency, and a healthy dose of experimental spirit.

Talk Title: People Over Pipelines: Lessons from a Career of Professional Experiments

Abstract:

"If you feel like you’re supposed to have your entire 10-year career plan mapped out by the time you finish your OMSCS degree, I’m here to tell you to breathe. My journey to becoming a successful AIEngineering leader started with an Electrical Engineering degree I didn’t love and a series of 'what if' pivots—from consulting in NYC to navigating an IPO with NerdWallet and eventually specializing in leading greenfield AI projects.

In this talk, I’m sharing the real-world version of a career in tech: one built on serendipity, hard work, and the courage to treat your professional life like a beta test. We’ll talk about how to fearlessly seize opportunities when they appear, why I believe 'Human-First' leadership is the only way to build a team that lasts, and why trying a role—whether it's as a tech founder or a technical product manager—is never a waste of time, even if it doesn't work out. Come for the career advice, stay for the honest look at what happens when you stop worrying about 'permanent' moves and start following your interests.”

OMSCS Graduation Info Session
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 4 - 5 p.m. ET
Location: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/93970210073

Getting ready to graduate? Join us for the OMSCS Graduation Info Session to get your questions answered before the big day! Come ask questions about anything from ordering regalia and getting your BuzzCard, to transportation options in Atlanta and other logistics for Commencement weekend. This is also a great chance to meet and connect with your fellow graduating students, learn the GT Fight Song from Dr. Joyner himself, and celebrate how far you’ve come. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to prepare, connect, and get ready to walk across the stage! 🐝

Join us for Lauren Saxton's talk on "People Over Pipelines: Lessons from a Career of Professional Experiments" on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. ET on Zoom: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/93970210073

Lauren Saxton is an AI Engineering Manager with a career defined by technical versatility and a "human-first" leadership philosophy. An alumna of the Georgia Tech OMSCS program, Lauren’s journey began as a student in Electrical Engineering before she discovered her passion for computer science and software development.

Her career spans the full tech stack and various leadership tiers—from consulting at Avanade and front-end development at Match.com to leading greenfield AI initiatives at Veeam. Lauren has navigated the high-growth environment of an IPO with NerdWallet, explored the startup world as a founder and individual contributor at various companies, and sharpened her strategic lens as a Technical Product Manager. Today, she focuses on building high-performing, human-centric AI teams that prioritize the individual as much as the code. Lauren is a firm believer that the best engineering cultures are built on empathy, transparency, and a healthy dose of experimental spirit.

Talk Title: People Over Pipelines: Lessons from a Career of Professional Experiments

Abstract:

"If you feel like you’re supposed to have your entire 10-year career plan mapped out by the time you finish your OMSCS degree, I’m here to tell you to breathe. My journey to becoming a successful AIEngineering leader started with an Electrical Engineering degree I didn’t love and a series of 'what if' pivots—from consulting in NYC to navigating an IPO with NerdWallet and eventually specializing in leading greenfield AI projects.

In this talk, I’m sharing the real-world version of a career in tech: one built on serendipity, hard work, and the courage to treat your professional life like a beta test. We’ll talk about how to fearlessly seize opportunities when they appear, why I believe 'Human-First' leadership is the only way to build a team that lasts, and why trying a role—whether it's as a tech founder or a technical product manager—is never a waste of time, even if it doesn't work out. Come for the career advice, stay for the honest look at what happens when you stop worrying about 'permanent' moves and start following your interests.”

Registration is open for the 2026 OMSCS Conference! Registration to attend in-person closes Monday, March 2 at 11:59pm ET.

The 4th iteration of the conference will take place on May 11-12, 2026 in the Global Learning Center at Georgia Tech, with a virtual option also available. The conference is an opportunity for OMSCS students and alumni to share their work and connect with the OMSCS community.

Register here: https://omscs.gatech.edu/register-2026-omscs-conference

OMSCS Local Meetup Group - Atlanta Chapter

Galentine's Day with OMSCS alumni, new students, and professionals! 🐝

Registration is now open for the 2026 OMSCS Conference! The 4th iteration of the conference will take place on May 11-12, 2026 in the Global Learning Center at Georgia Tech, with a virtual option also available. The conference is an opportunity for OMSCS students and alumni to share their work and connect with the OMSCS community.

Register here: https://omscs.gatech.edu/register-2026-omscs-conference

Title: Pathways into Technology Through the Arts
Date: Thursday, November 13, 8 - 9 p.m. ET
Speakers: Avital Shira and Birney Robert
Zoom Link: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/95324228668

Join Avital Shira and Birney Robert, strategists at Georgia Tech Arts, for a dynamic conversation at the intersection of storytelling, community, and technology. Both Shira and Robert have taken uncommon paths into working in roles where technology is a key component of their work — from theater and directing to painting and curation.

Avital Shira is a director, educator, and strategist whose work spans theatre, film, and arts integration. With a background in directing, community organizing, and strategic consulting, she leads academic, research, and engagement strategy at Georgia Tech Arts, championing collaboration that leads to innovation through the arts.

Birney Robert is a curator and strategist working at the forefront of art, science, and technology. She leads external engagement initiatives that connect high-tech conceptual art with diverse audiences, curating exhibitions, and spearheading cross-sector collaborations and community engagement. Robert has a background in visual arts, museum anthropology, and curating art exhibits at the intersection of technology.

Together, Shira and Robert bring deep expertise in arts leadership, innovation, and cultural strategy—bridging disciplines to shape the future of creative technologies. They’ll discuss both their (sometimes circuitous) pathways to their current roles, and the work they are currently doing to drive and highlight innovation at the intersection of technology and the arts.

Learn more about Avital Shira and Birney Robert:
https://omscs.gatech.edu/omscs-speaker-series

📢 OMSCS Alums 📢 Join us for our Alumni Virtual Coffee Hour on Wednesday, October 29 at 10 a.m. ET with David Joyner, Amanda Moore, and Ana Rusch! Register to attend here: https://gatech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8hWq1FRHV9gyLhs 🐝

🗓️ Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
⏰ Time: 7 - 8 p.m. ET
💻 Location: Zoom: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/97569999081

As part of our OMSCS Speaker Series launch, we are honored to welcome our first speaker: Kristen Perez, Strategic Content Marketing and Communications Manager at NVIDIA. Kristen blends technical depth with accessible storytelling, transforming complex topics like AI, accelerated computing, and sustainability into compelling narratives that resonate across audiences. Her mission-driven approach has shaped thought leadership initiatives, aligned teams, and influenced industry conversations at the forefront of technology.

Talk: “Mission-First Mindset: The Key to Trust, Impact, and Career Growth”
Leadership doesn’t begin with a title—it begins with a mission. In this session, Kristen will share the Mission-First Mindset, a framework for turning output into influence and accelerating career growth. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies for:

-Leading through clarity and accountability
-Turning work into trust and trust into impact
-Building habits that strengthen visibility and credibility

Whether you’re just starting your academic journey or advancing in your career, this conversation will equip you with the tools to lead from where you are.