After graduating valedictorian in computer science in 2003, Tommy Young moved to New York City to fulfill a dream of programming, rock stardom and laundry.

How was your experience at State?

I was at State from the Fall of ’99 through the Fall of ’03. I got mydegree in computer science, and actually graduated number 1 in my entireclass, which is pretty kick-ass. That GPA is the best thing you canhave on a resume, no matter what other fluff you have on there. Iparticipated in the co-op program, doing two spring-summer rotations forIBM. I lived in Sullivan/Lee. Sullivan sucked. Lee was cool.

I was an ardent football fan, probably partied way too much and saw as many concerts aspossible. I truly loved my college experience, and compared to friendswho went elsewhere, I can honestly say State was by far the best.

What are you doing with your degree now?

My degree enabled me to fulfill a dream/goal of moving to New York City.I got a Junior Software Engineer position with DoubleClick, a leader inthe Internet advertising industry. More specifically, I work on theRich Media side of the business (both ad serving/ad control and toolsfor creative development). Before long I received a promotion to a moresenior level, and am now leading my own sub-team, managing off-shoreresources as well. I can honestly say it’s the best job I ever had, andam 100 percent happy with where I currently am.

How will the work you are doing effect me?

Ideally, my work will help people by serving them useful advertisingbetter suited to their interests and needs. Enhancing the ad-viewingexperience is key, I don’t want people consistently annoyed by what theyare viewing. Neither do advertisers who use our product. Innovation iskey, coming up with new ways to attract viewers and make their Internetusage experience a fabulous one.

And if you’re annoyed with ads on Web sites, I’m sorry. I didn’t come upwith the idea. However, I like the fact that the Internet is free. Soit’s a necessary evil.

How did your education at State help you?

I feel like I received a very well-rounded education at State, andthat’s the sort of thing that helped me to get the good jobs I have beenable [to get], and has also helped to keep me motivated to pursue life goals,hobbies, work etc. that transcend my core degree. Some of theinteresting classes that I was able to take outside of computer sciencewere some of the best ice-breakers I had in interviews.

Furthermore, one of the best things that happened to me — and alsokick-started my job status/salary status upon graduation — was the co-opprogram, and specifically the close relationship IBM had with N.C. State.I had the chance to work in two completely different teams during thelast few years of school, and make some good money on the side. I alsoalready had signed on for a full-time position before I even graduated,which made that last semester extra-special. Because of State’sreputation with IBM, I was able to do this.

N.C. State in general was just an awesome experience. I talk to friendsin the city who went to NYU, Columbia etc., and beyond education, theydidn’t get the things I loved at State, which were football/sports, lotsof nice open space (complete with grass) and a slue of original anddiverse people. Wouldn’t trade that experience for any Ivy Leaguedegree.

What advice would you give the would-be engineers at State?

I would say take as many “practical” classes as you can, things that aredirectly workplace-applicable. I didn’t take quite enough of those.You can always learn those things later, but the more you have on yourresume initially, the quicker you will be able to obtain an actual goodposition. But do not neglect the core classes, especially things likeData Structures and Operating Systems, because those are companies’favorite interview questions (and have become some of my favorites toask as well).

Also, diversify. I strongly suggest getting a minor in somethingcompletely different from CS, like psych or even food science. I alwaysappreciate people with a passion for something outside of CSC, and aminor goes a long way in accomplishing that.

Living in NYC, what else do you do with your time other than work?

Besides work, I have no time, because I fill it with 8 million thingsthinking that tomorrow may be my last day ever in NYC. The problem withNYC is that there is so much to do, so many people doing things you liketo do, and just not enough time. But I manage.

Currently I’m in a hard rock/stoner rock band called Don Vanderberg.That takes a ton of my time. Between that and exercise — running inCentral Park is one of my favorite things to do — I try new weirdrestaurants, hang out in dark bars with loud music and tattooed girls,do personal Web design, visit art galleries and museums, wander aroundHarlem, prepare for Halloween which is the greatest holiday ever and domy laundry.