We caught up recently with Sean Sun, class of 2019 alum now working at Amazon Web Services in Seattle, Washington. Sean graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University.

Initially accepted into the CMU Architecture program, Sean realized his expectations of the course were not being met. After taking the introductory courses for the highly competitive Computer Science major, Sean successfully transferred and found he could apply his love of problem-solving more directly through mathematics and physics.

Sean is humble about his recent success, reflecting that it was not a straightforward journey. Sean shared that he was hesitant and felt highly stressed when he didn't find his first-choice program was what he expected, and to shift, he had to compete for limited spaces. Working hard to achieve top grades was a challenge, yet he persisted because of his belief that computer science would match his skills and interests better. Importantly, Sean said that he learned that you shouldn't fear change. Back in his senior year, when he received his university offers and was rejected from a dream choice, he felt like the world was ending, yet he saw later how it opened doors to new opportunities. Being at CMU permitted Sean to change his major based on his academic achievement in the core courses, leading to highly satisfying personal and career success.

Role at AWS: 

Building Systems from Scratch

In his current role, Sean works in a database team developing computer systems from scratch. He finds this meaningful and challenging, spending the majority of his time coding, with the balance dedicated to communication for clarifying the system goals. This role draws on his strengths in problem-solving and being independently responsible yet still allows him to contribute within a team. His internship at AWS led to him being hired full-time after graduation, attesting to his impact and the value he brought even then.

SIS Inspired Sean's Tech Skills for a Better World

Sean credits the breadth and depth of the learning he acquired in the IBDP at SIS, particularly in his higher-level courses of Mathematics, Physics and Visual Arts, to developing his ability to tackle the most competitive program at CMU and find joy in the details of computer systems coding. A gecko from 2008-2019, Sean feels that SIS shaped him, particularly through service-learning experiences. He said it is easy for us to forget about people in need when we are so focused on our schoolwork or careers. However, his service experiences left a mark, so he thinks about his future impact and the potential areas where he can contribute to the greater good. Sean was a dedicated member and became the leader of SIS Housebuilding Club, organizing fundraising and service trips and running regular meetings with the student volunteers. Sean's long-term goal is to use his computer coding skills to contribute to reversing climate change. Although he feels he has many experiences before he is ready to tackle this, his interest in contributing to society at large was fostered through his involvement in service-oriented experiences at SIS including Housebuilding Club.

Work-life balance： 

Sean's Seattle Adventure

Sean is happy with his move to Seattle, a location that fondly reminds him of Taiwan, with nearby access to both mountains and sea. He loves skiing and hiking and has recently taken up pottery as a new hobby. He said his work-life balance has improved since completing his degree. With his weekends of studying behind him, he is now focused on exploring the Seattle area and going on outings with friends.

We congratulate Sean on his achievements so far! We're pleased to see him thriving in his career and reaping the rewards of his decisions.

近期，我们采访了Sean Sun，一位2019届的杰出校友。目前，Sean在华盛顿州西雅图市的亚马逊网络服务公司担任要职。他于2024年从卡内基梅隆大学（CMU）毕业，获得了计算机科学理学学士学位。

Sean最初被CMU的建筑学专业录取，但他很快意识到，这个专业并没有满足他对课程的期望。然而，他并没有因此气馁。在选修了竞争激烈的计算机科学入门课程后，Sean成功地转入了这一领域，并发现了自己对解决问题的热情可以通过数学和物理得到更直接地发挥。

对于自己近期取得的成就，Sean表现出了谦逊的态度。他坦诚地分享了自己的心路历程，表明成功并非一帆风顺。在发现自己的第一志愿专业并不如预期时，Sean曾陷入迷茫和压力之中。面对着取得优异成绩的挑战，他没有放弃，而是坚信计算机科学更能与他的技能和兴趣相匹配。Sean强调，他学到的最重要的一课是：永远不要害怕改变。他回忆起大四那年，当收到大学录取通知书，却被梦想中的大学拒之门外时，他感到仿佛世界末日即将来临。然而，正是这次挫折，为他打开了通往新机遇的大门。在卡内基梅隆大学（CMU），Sean凭借在核心课程中的出色表现，得以转换专业，最终实现了个人和职业上的双重成功。

AWS的创新者：从零开始构建系统

Sean目前在亚马逊网络服务（AWS）担任一个关键角色，他所在的数据库团队正致力于从零开始构建全新的计算机系统。这项工作不仅充满意义，也极具挑战性。Sean大部分时间都沉浸在编码的世界中，而其余时间则用于与团队沟通，以确保系统目标的清晰和一致性。这个职位完美地发挥了Sean在解决问题和独立负责方面的优势，同时也让他有机会在团队中发光发热。他在AWS的实习经历不仅让他在毕业后获得了全职职位，更是证明了他在团队中的影响力和价值。

SIS启发Sean的技术技能，

助力构建更美好的世界

Sean认为，深圳市蛇口外籍人员子女学校（SIS）的国际文凭大学预科项目（IBDP），尤其是那些在数学、物理和视觉艺术等学科上的高难度课程，不仅塑造了他应对CMU激烈竞争的能力，更让他在计算机系统编码的细微之处发现了乐趣。作为2008至2019学年的校友，Sean认为SIS对他的影响深远，尤其是通过服务学习的经历。他提醒我们，在专注于学业或事业的同时，我们很容易忽视那些需要帮助的人。然而，正是这些服务经历给Sean留下了不可磨灭的印象，促使他开始思考自己未来的影响力，以及他能在哪些领域为更大的利益做出贡献。作为一位热心的成员，他不仅参与其中，还担任了SIS Housebuilding俱乐部的负责人，组织筹款和服务之旅，并定期与学生志愿者举行会议。Sean的长远目标是利用自己的计算机编码技能，为应对气候变化做出贡献。尽管他意识到自己还需要积累更多经验来解决这一全球性问题，但他对为社会做出贡献的兴趣，正是通过参与包括Housebuilding俱乐部在内的SIS服务型体验项目而培养起来的。

Sean的西雅图生活：

工作与乐趣的和谐交响

自从搬到风景如画的西雅图，Sean就深深爱上了这座城市，这里让他想起了遥远的家乡中国台湾——同样的山水环绕，自然美景尽收眼底。在这里，他找到了工作与生活完美平衡的新篇章。西雅图的山峦和水域为Sean提供了无尽的户外活动机会，他热爱滑雪和远足，这些活动让他在工作之余能够充分放松身心。最近，他还发现了一项新爱好——陶艺，这不仅丰富了他的业余生活，也为他提供了一种全新的创造性表达方式。Sean坦言，自从告别了紧张的学业生活，他现在更加注重工作与生活的平衡。周末不再是埋头苦干的学习时间，而是变成了探索西雅图、与朋友们欢聚的宝贵时刻。

我们庆祝Sean至今所取得的辉煌成就！看到他在职业道路上稳步前行，并且从自己的选择中收获丰硕的成果，我们感到无比的欣慰和自豪。