Aidan Ouckama ’26 turned to TikTok to support his peers and build a thriving online computer science community
As a kid, Aidan Ouckama ’26 discovered coding through Scratch — an online programming language community designed for young learners — and built his first computer game shortly after. “One of the early projects actually went viral,” he recalls. “It was the first time I realized the power of making something that others could interact with.” The energy from that first success is one thing that eventually guided him to Stevens, where he majors in computer science and channels his passion for problem-solving into his future career plans.
But his plans weren’t always quite so straightforward. When Ouckama began applying for internships as a sophomore on campus, he quickly realized how overwhelming the process could be. “I was putting in the work, but it didn’t always feel like I was getting anywhere,” he says. Seeing many peers facing the same challenges, he decided to act. His solution? TikTok.
In 2023, Ouckama leveraged his already established channel to begin posting honest, relatable videos about navigating the computer science job market, from handling rejection to mastering technical interviews. His candid accounts of his experiences resonated with students nationwide, and he quickly grew an online community of thousands. He now cross-promotes his content on Instagram and YouTube. “Students appreciate real-time, actionable advice,” he explains. “I try to post as soon as I hear about new internship openings or when a tech company drops hiring news. It’s all about staying ahead of the curve.”
As his following grew, so too did his drive to create something more permanent for future students. Frustrated with unreliable internship lists sourced at various places online, he took matters into his own hands and built a GitHub-based internship repository. What started as a personal Google Sheet has grown into a community-driven resource where students nationwide can find, share and verify openings in real time. The repository has already helped students land internships at top companies like Microsoft, Datadog and Notion. “I get messages all the time from students saying, ‘I got my internship through your repo,’” Ouckama says. “That’s what makes all the work worth it.”
His efforts have also garnered him attention beyond student populations. Earlier this year, CNN interviewed him for a feature on computer science graduates entering the workforce. “It was surreal,” he says. “They found me through TikTok and asked me to share my thoughts on the future of tech careers. That’s when I realized the impact this work is having.”
Ouckama credits Stevens’ tech-focused curriculum and extracurricular opportunities — from the Student Managed Investment Fund to the Computer Science Club — for giving him the support and momentum to keep building. “Surrounding yourself with motivated, like-minded people is crucial,” he says.
After graduation, Ouckama will join Microsoft’s Xbox team as a full-time software engineer — a full-circle moment for someone who grew up playing on the platform. But he has no plans to slow down his community work. "I know firsthand that tech is all about collaboration, and I intend to help make sure the next generation of students has all the resources and support they need to succeed."
See what a typical day in the life looks like for Ouckama at Stevens.
