Since 2010, the Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies (AIMS) has been sending cohorts of students to San Francisco to engage in an incredibly unique and rewarding experience: The San Francisco Digital Innovation Center. In 2014, a grant from the state of Ohio allowed for program expansion to launch the Cincinnati Digital Innovation Center. Hear from program graduate Laura Paganini, ’18, a software engineering major.

“Being part of the SFDI program was the best decision I’ve made at Miami. Before, I was set on staying in Cleveland after I graduated. However, the software development scene is completely different from the Midwest. Working with the like-minded, fun people at Imgur taught me that work can be challenging, fulfilling, and exciting! I got to work on an entertaining website that I’ve been using for years, and this showed me that I can apply my programming skills in creative and fun ways. In startups, interns are given real opportunities to make an impact that large corporations can’t offer. The company visits were second to none. I can’t think of a better way to learn the ins and outs of San Francisco’s ecosystem. I got to pick the brains of people who were in my field and I learned how startups operate, something you can’t teach in class."

"Between the company visits and my amazing internship, I realized that I wanted to pursue my career goals in San Francisco. Luckily, my Imgur family liked me as much as I liked them, and they gave me a full time offer! At the end of this month, I move to San Francisco to be a platform engineer. If you had asked me six months ago if I would make such a life-changing move, I’d say no. But this program forced me out of my comfort zone, and I fell in love with the beautiful, busy city that will no doubt be the catalyst for my career.”

Visit the San Francisco Digital Innovation Center website for more information about the program or contact Program Manager Catherine Couretas.