Alumni Spotlight: Sarah M.
Each conversation with a First Tech Fund alum is an opportunity to reflect on what’s been most beneficial for our students and how they’ve been impacted through their participation in our programming and in partnership with our staff. These conversations also remind us that there is much more support that we can offer students across New York City and that we can grow our impact with the support of additional generous funders.
Each conversation with a First Tech Fund alum is an opportunity to reflect on what’s been most beneficial for our students and how they’ve been impacted through their participation in our programming and in partnership with our staff. These conversations also remind us that there is much more support that we can offer students across New York City and that we can grow our impact with the support of additional generous funders.
Sarah joined First Tech Fund during the 2022-2023 year as part of cohort 3, as a senior at Hillcrest High School in Queens. Over the course of the year, First Tech Fund helped Sarah with college applications, career exploration, and building confidence through mentorship and community.
Now, as a junior at Princeton University, Sarah is studying Computer Science for a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree (BSE) and is also involved in several organizations, including The Daily Princetonian, where she’s a Staff News Writer, as well as Princeton Bengal Tigers, where she focuses on building community and social connection.
We recently connected with Sarah to discuss her favorite FTF memories, her current studies at Princeton, and more.
When you started at First Tech Fund as a Fellow, what were some of the things you were looking for support with?
When I joined First Tech Fund as a Fellow during my senior year of high school, I was seeking personalized guidance and mentorship to help navigate the college application process. At my high school, with only two counselors serving over 600 graduating seniors, individualized support was limited. I was looking for a program that could offer one-on-one feedback on my college applications, provide mentorship from professionals in various fields, and connect me with a community of peers who were also exploring potential career paths. Additionally, I was eager for advice on selecting a major that aligned with both my interests and long-term goals. First Tech Fund provided a supportive and enriching environment that filled those gaps and helped me feel more confident and informed during a pivotal time in my academic journey.
What was the favorite part of the program you were a part of?
One of my favorite parts of the program was participating in the in-person company engagement events with companies like IBM, LinkedIn, Vimeo, and Hearst. I especially liked the IBM Summer Learning Session at their Manhattan office on quantum computing and emerging technologies. The event offered an exciting introduction to the development and application of quantum systems across industries. Hearing directly from IBM researchers about their work and career paths helped me better understand the future of computing and inspired me to think more broadly about where technology is headed and how I might contribute.
What is something you learned at FTF that you continue to value today?
One of the most valuable things I learned at First Tech Fund was how to build genuine relationships. FTF showed me that relationship-building isn’t just about networking or asking for advice; it’s about being genuinely curious, showing up for others, and keeping in touch even after the program ends. Those small interactions—like a quick thank-you email or checking in with a mentor—can go a long way.
Even now, I carry those lessons with me. Whether I’m in a class, at an internship, or meeting new people on campus, I try to be intentional about the relationships I build. It’s made a real difference in how I approach people and the kind of community I’m creating around me.
Can you tell us about an interesting person that you met via First Tech Fund? What did they teach you that helps you today in your work or your studies?
I met Kerianne Baylor via First Tech Fund. Kerianne was the Senior Programs Manager at FTF when I was a Fellow, and she supported me in the transition from high school to college. Kerianne taught me the importance of proactive communication and self-advocacy in a professional environment. She encouraged me to ask questions, seek feedback, and take initiative —skills that have been essential in both my academic and professional development.
What are you doing now and what are some of your goals for the next couple of years?
As a junior at Princeton University, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) in Computer Science. In addition to my academic work, I am actively involved in several campus organizations, including The Daily Princetonian, where I contribute as a Staff News Writer, and Princeton Bengal Tigers, a student group focused on fostering cultural community and social connection.
This summer, I am interning at Thomson Reuters as an AI Software Engineering Intern on the Reuters and LSEG partnership team. I am also a 2024 Girls Who Invest Scholar and serve as a campus ambassador for the organization at Princeton, helping to promote opportunities for women in finance and investing.
I’m currently conducting research on fairness and bias in open-source large language models (LLMs) used for image captioning and feature extraction. My work involves running controlled experiments with synthetic image sets to evaluate model consistency, accuracy, and bias across diverse visual content.
Looking ahead, I hope to deepen my expertise in machine learning and computer vision, particularly at the intersection of algorithmic fairness, human-centered AI, and real-world applications. My goal over the next few years is to continue gaining hands-on experience in both research and industry while contributing to the development of responsible and inclusive AI technologies.
If there’s one thing you’d want to share about the First Tech Fund’s resources and community of support, what would it be?
If there’s one thing I’d share about First Tech Fund, it’s how deeply it invests in each student’s growth. As someone who joined FTF during a key transition from high school to college, I found not only access to resources but a community that encouraged me to ask questions, build confidence, and explore opportunities I hadn’t considered before. That support made a lasting impact on how I approach challenges and pursue my goals today.