Where Support Meets Opportunity: Two Students Reflect On Their TA Journey

The role of a teaching assistant (TA) is more than just answering questions or helping debug code—it’s about building community and creating pathways for others to succeed. For two graduating seniors, Kylie Berg and Anna Reis, serving as TAs became a defining part of their college journey. Inspired by the support they received when they were new to CS, they each stepped into the role hoping to offer that same encouragement to students who, like them, were just starting out.

“Teaching assistants are often the first point of contact for students learning how to code,” said Adam Cannon, a Senior Lecturer in Discipline. Berg and Reis are Head TAs for his class, where they have mentored hundreds of students. “When those TAs are not only technically strong but also approachable and encouraging, the entire learning experience changes—for the better.” 

Through teaching, both students deepened their understanding of course material, built meaningful connections with faculty and peers, and gained confidence as leaders. Their experiences show how the department’s commitment to undergraduate involvement, through teaching, research, and mentorship, benefits everyone in the classroom.

Below, Berg and Reis reflect on their experiences as teaching assistants and how those roles helped them grow while giving back to the CS community.

Kylie Berg

During my time at Columbia, the friendships I’ve formed have been the most meaningful part of my experience. While the academics were rigorous and the opportunities were plentiful, it was the connections I built with classmates, mentors, and peers that truly defined my journey. 

One of the most impactful decisions I made was becoming a TA for Intro to Computer Science (1004). Coming into the program with no prior CS experience, I remember vividly how overwhelming and isolating it felt. But the TAs I met as a freshman showed incredible patience and encouragement, and they helped me believe that I could succeed. That experience inspired me to become a TA myself, and I’m proud to have played a small part in students’ journeys—and in doing so, I’ve grown immensely myself. Having debugged hundreds of student programs over the years, I have become better at quickly understanding unfamiliar code and much better at debugging, both of which are invaluable skills. 

The past four years have been an interesting and complicated slice of Columbia’s history. The opportunities I have had here, from the chance to do research in quantum computing and publish a paper, to attending hackathons, to experiencing amazing courses taught by dedicated professors and beyond, have been incredible. I have personally witnessed the department and faculty’s dedication to the quality and equity of our curriculum, and I am grateful to have been a part of it. I’m glad that I’m staying in New York City, and I’ll be working as a software engineer at SeatGeek after graduation. 

Anna Reis

One of the most rewarding parts of my time at Columbia has been my involvement with the department, both as a teaching assistant and through research. These experiences not only helped me grow academically but also shaped me as a person. From debugging code in crowded TA hours to collaborating on projects that pushed me intellectually, CS has been more than a major—it’s been a community that has challenged and inspired me in equal measure.

I became a TA for the introductory CS courses because of the incredible impact my own TAs had on me when I first entered the field. I came in uncertain, unsure if I belonged, but the encouragement I received from those early mentors made all the difference. Stepping into that role myself gave me the opportunity to offer the same support, especially to women and other underrepresented students who might be questioning their place in tech. It’s a privilege to help build confidence in students just starting out, and I’ve found the role deeply fulfilling. I absolutely recommend that students become a TA; the benefits are multifaceted, including learning more deeply about the topic that you are teaching, developing a stronger relationship with faculty and students, and getting compensated for your work.

Beyond the classroom, I’m also proud of studying abroad in Spain during my junior year. Balancing a CS course load while immersing myself in another culture was a unique and invaluable experience. I’m so grateful Columbia made that possible—and now, after graduation, I’m excited to continue my journey as a software engineer at Bloomberg in NYC.