Unlikely Engineers: The Pianist And The Med Student Who Found Their Future In Code

The MS Bridge program was created to open doors for talented individuals from non-traditional backgrounds to thrive in computer science.

Few stories capture the spirit of the MS Bridge Program better than those of Ryan Soeyadi and Peter Ma. Soeyadi, a classically trained pianist and Juilliard graduate, and Ma, a former medical student, each took bold steps to pivot into tech. Through the Bridge program, they gained the skills, confidence, and community needed to launch successful careers as software engineers, while continuing to draw on the unique perspectives their previous experiences bring to the field.

Now working at The New York Times and Bloomberg, they are putting their technical skills to use in high-impact roles while continuing to embrace what makes them unique. Whether it’s designing user experiences for millions of daily puzzle solvers or building systems that support global financial markets, both exemplify the Bridge program’s mission: empowering driven individuals to reimagine their futures and make meaningful contributions to the world of technology.

Ryan Soeyadi

Coming from a background in classical music from The Juilliard School, transitioning into the world of computer science was both a bold and deeply personal journey for me. The MS Bridge program offered the ideal path—it was rigorous yet welcoming, and it gave me the foundational tools I needed to think like a computer scientist. My favorite class, Advanced Programming with Senior Lecturer in Discipline Jae Woo Lee, was a turning point. For the first time, I felt like I wasn’t just writing code but truly understanding the underlying concepts. That clarity and confidence fundamentally shifted how I approach technical problem-solving, and it’s something I now carry into every project.

Today, I split my time between working at The New York Times and continuing my musical work at Juilliard. At NYT, I’m a software engineer on the Games team, where I build user-facing features and contribute to the growth and engagement of a product that brings joy to millions. We use modern tools like TypeScript, React, Node, and GraphQL, and I’ve grown tremendously from building everything from paywalls to retention strategies. Meanwhile, at Juilliard, I serve as a staff accompanist, collaborating mostly with violists in lessons and recitals. Maintaining both careers is deeply important to me—tech fulfills my love of problem-solving and creation, while music keeps me grounded artistically. It’s important for me to have a balance between work and artistic fulfillment, and I’m quite happy where Columbia has helped me land. 

Peter Ma

Participating in the Bridge program has been a transformative step in my career journey. With a background that began in medicine, I made the difficult but ultimately fulfilling decision to pivot toward computer science. The Bridge program not only provided me with a rigorous academic foundation—covering everything from data structures and algorithms to operating systems and compilers—but also immersed me in a vibrant, supportive community of peers who share the same drive and curiosity. This environment allowed me to grow both technically and personally, and offered access to invaluable networking opportunities through the department’s strong connections in the tech industry.

Throughout the program, I discovered a particular interest in software systems, taking advanced coursework in operating systems, distributed systems, and infrastructure at scale. These experiences sharpened my technical skills and solidified my desire to solve complex engineering challenges. In parallel, I found joy in teaching and mentoring as a TA and academic support advisor, which deepened my appreciation for collaborative learning. I’m now excited to begin my career as a software engineer at Bloomberg, where I look forward to building impactful systems, continuing to learn from industry leaders, and contributing meaningfully to solving real-world problems at scale.