From Computer Science to Human-Centered Design: Maddy Whelan's Journey at RIT

Maddy Whelan didn't start out in the humanities, computing, and design BS (HCD) program at RIT. She began in computer science, drawn to the problem-solving nature of the field, but soon, Whelan realized she craved more creativity and human interaction in her career path.

After deciding to change her major, she found the perfect blend in HCD, which allowed her to combine technical proficiency with a human focus. The program's emphasis on group work was especially impactful for Whelan.

"I think the group work in the liberal arts is so huge, because it's a great way to learn people skills," she noted. As project manager on two different senior capstone teams, Whelan honed her ability to understand individual skill sets, work styles, and approaches to collaboration.

"Learning these soft skills through hands-on, collaborative work was super beneficial," Whelan said. "That's the most applicable real-world experience that I got during my program."

HCD majors have the opportunity to work in at least one block of cooperative education and internship, which means full-time, paid career experience in industry. Whelan's journey took an exciting turn at an RIT career fair, where a conversation at the Wegmans booth led to a project management co-op, where she has assisted in leading multiple cross-functional teams working on high-priority customer-facing projects, including the launch of the new Wegmans App.  She also helped integrate DoorDash and Uber for grocery delivery, gaining exposure to contract negotiations and cross-functional collaboration.

After graduating in May 2025, Whelan transitioned immediately into a full-time role at Wegmans. After one year, she took on a new role as Human Resources Administrative Assistant, where she promotes efficiency, organization, and raises capabilities of the Human Resources Team through managing day-to-day activities. She also supports the onboarding of new executive employees, manages the department budget, keeps high-priority projects on track. 

“Saying ‘yes’ more often" became a recurring theme and lesson for Whelan, from joining clubs to connecting with professors to taking on new roles. Each "yes" became a stepping stone in her professional journey. "Just be open to every opportunity that comes your way, and saying ‘yes’ can make a world of difference," Whelan said. "If I was too scared to go to the career fair that day, or I psyched myself out, I wouldn't have gotten my co-op or my job that I have now."

For students considering HCD or other liberal arts majors at RIT, Whelan encourages embracing the unique opportunities and perspectives these programs provide – both in the classroom and through applied, hands-on learning. Her own path demonstrates how HCD can cultivate in-demand skills and open doors to exciting careers.

15 Possible Career Futures for Humanities, Computing, and Design Grads: https://www.rit.edu/articles/15-possible-career-futures-humanities-computing-and-design-grads