GOLD Ambassadors

Mudd Facts: I didn’t get involved in enough clubs, but spent my first 3 years involved in ASHMC. I spent time doing research with Profs George (CS) and Tsai (Eng) and had the joy of grutoring for a number of CS classes. 

Fun Facts: I love writing/editing–I write things on AI policy for Skynet Today and edit for The Gradient. I’m really into literature (huge Tolkien nerd), philosophy (especially metaphysics), policy, and have had a passion for learning Chinese since I took classes back in high school. 

What I’m currently up to: I’m living in Mountain View with a roommate, doing ML at an AI chip startup, learning how to “be an adult.” Work keeps me plenty busy, but I try to stay mildly active by going to the gym and driving range and have been meaning to make myself pick up tennis again. I’m also fortunate to live in an area where I can indulge my food / ice cream obsessions. I like to continue learning and reading outside of work so I’ve been spending time speedrunning some of my old Chinese textbooks. I’ve been working on a little series about different national AI strategies (starting with a piece on China’s recent AI ethics guidelines), an area I got interested in a few years back. I spent some time over the pandemic helping out with a podcast and doing weekly reading groups with a CMC professor I took philosophy classes with. 

Advice on adulting: This is a tough one, considering I’m barely an adult. I think the most helpful things for me post-Mudd have been keeping some sort of routine, staying connected with friends and family, and finding a few things outside of work / work-related things that capture my interest. At the moment, I’m just focused on trying to be a good employee/son/roommate/friend/awkward acquaintance. 

Mudd Facts: I loved the Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company and the Archery club. I’m very proud of learning to freeline during Summer Institute. 

Fun Facts: I have been drenched in vanilla pudding. I was my high school’s homecoming queen. I’m an agnostic atheist who attends church pretty much every week. 

What I’m currently up to: Working as a therapist and part-time as a rock climbing coach. Dancing with Country Dance New York and hanging out with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. More on my website: bvcastro.com

Advice on adulting: You’re basically navigating an uncharted territory. Even though other people have captained their ships through the same waters, it’s a different ship. No one has ever navigated your ship before, so no one can tell you how to do it other than for you to sit with how you feel about it. Not everyone’s trying to go to the same destination. (Adapted from Jeremy Robinson, MFT)

Mudd Facts: I worked almost every summer of my Mudd career on the HMC campus up until I got my current job. 

Fun Facts: I stream on Twitch occasionally with friends and have been an avid pickleball player for about 2 years now.

What I’m currently up to: I have been working for the Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation for 4 years now, mostly designing traffic signal intersections.

Advice on adulting: I believe really investing time and energy into your relationships with friends/co-workers and other alumni is so important. A great habit to develop is to check in on folks in your life and spend time building your community. Reach out to others regularly, even if it’s been awhile since you last chatted with folks. It goes a long way to making others feel included in your community and makes gatherings more fun! 

Mudd Facts: South Proctor 2015-16, Adventure Club, Tea Club, Swam for CMS Swim Team 3 years 2012-2015, Academic Excellent Tutor for Math, CS Grutor, Global Clinic 2015-16.

Fun Facts: I enjoy hiking, camping, rock climbing, and board gaming.

What I’m currently up to: I run a Developer meetup group in my local area and have recently started volunteering in a local high school CS classroom. I also am starting to work more in my garden and am starting to try composting.

Advice on adulting: Listen to people who have success in an area you want to work on, but beware the Halo Effect (e.g. assuming a person will give good advice on all topics just because they have success or notoriety in a specific area).