Teaching and Entrepreneurship Shape Computing Grad’s Experience
Oluwatooni “Tooni” Alade, a graduating computer science (CS) student, has spent her college years exploring technology through a variety of lenses: teaching foundational courses, interning at leading tech companies, and pursuing her entrepreneurial ambitions.
Alade’s interest in computing began at Elite Scholars Academy, a magnet high school in Clayton County, Georgia, where she used Scratch to create an asteroid-avoidance game in her AP Computer Science Principles course.
“Even though it was simple, figuring out the logic for randomness and movement was challenging for someone brand-new to programming. Building that game opened my eyes to what programming could do and sparked my curiosity about storytelling and building interactive things,” she said.
At Georgia Tech, Alade embraced opportunities to explore research, entrepreneurship, and internships. Serving as a teaching assistant (TA) for the School of Computing Instruction shaped her problem-solving approach.
“The better I understand the topics, the better I can explain them in ways that are simple and clear for beginners. Even though the course material stayed the same, I learned something new each semester,” she said.
Alade emphasizes that the community she found in the College of Computing shaped much of her growth at Tech. She said the people she met as a TA and the broader College community “played a major role in helping me grow and enjoy my experience at Tech.”
Her experience outside the classroom was just as formative. Internships at Reddit, JP Morgan, Verizon, and General Motors exposed her to machine learning, user experience, interface design, and global IT projects. Those roles, she said, taught her the importance of asking questions, seeking guidance, and adapting quickly to new technologies.
Entrepreneurship became another key thread in her time at Tech. Through the CREATE-X program, Alade and her co-founders launched Sensible, a Chrome extension that helps users make more sustainable online shopping choices.
“I was lucky enough to be part of the CREATE-X program at Tech and turned my junior design project into a real startup,” she said.
“Going from idea to prototype to launch in a single school year, placing second at Demo Day, and gaining users internationally all reinforced my belief in our product and in myself as a founder.
“My co-founders also helped me get through the rigor of Tech, build my confidence as an engineer, and flourish as a person.”
Looking ahead, Alade will continue her master’s degree while interning at Datadog in New York City this spring. She then plans to join Bloomberg full-time and continue growing Sensible through the CREATE-X Startup Launch program.
Reflecting on her time at Tech, Alade emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship. One person who has been particularly influential is School of Computing Instruction Interim Chair Mary Hudachek-Buswell. Alade TA’d for five semesters for Hudachek-Buswell’s CS 1332 Data Structures and Algorithms.
“I've truly appreciated all of her work, effort, and commitment to us as TAs and the life she's breathed into me as a person,” Alade said.
She also offers advice to current students, highlighting the value of mastering foundational concepts.
“Practice is what makes perfect. Rewrite the algorithms, understand their steps, and know why their runtimes behave the way they do. It will make the rest of your time at Tech and in the workforce so much easier,” she said.
Beyond academics, Alade encourages students to build relationships and take advantage of the Tech community.
“Go to office hours, ask questions, and build connections. The confidence and support you gain will carry you far academically and professionally,” she said.
