Liam Long

“Not everything you learn is from school,” says Liam Long, a sophomore in the computer science program at Capitol Technology University. “If you want to go into computer science, it should be something you enjoy. Learn programming outside of school as early as possible and set yourself big goals.”

Liam started coding at age eight, inspired by his father’s work in cybersecurity. That early experience gave him a head start, but his persistence and curiosity has kept him moving forward ever since. 

He was drawn to Capitol Tech for its practical approach and supportive environment. “I enjoy the small class sizes and being able to ask the professor questions,” he said. “Some of the best opportunities here have been the career fairs. They’ve helped me polish my resume and learn how to talk to employers in the real world.”

At Capitol Tech, he’s gained a strong technical foundation through taking advanced math courses like Calculus II and Discrete Mathematics, programming in SQL, and collaborating with classmates to build a connected database and a website with a Java-based front end.

Liam is also passionate about game development and values the freedom to take time and explore his creative side, spending his off hours skateboarding, playing guitar, and sharing his game design projects with friends. 

“The diverse on-campus community is one of my favorite parts. Everyone has different interests, and it’s always interesting to talk to people about what they’re working on,” Liam said.

Each semester, Liam continues to shape a future grounded in both logic and imagination. Whether it's mastering new tools, building systems with his peers, or pushing himself toward his dream of becoming an independent game developer, he’s committed to growing—one project, one line of code, one goal at a time.