A profile of InfoSci alum Hailla Vinson
Hailla Vinson, InfoSci '20
Growing up in Harford County, Maryland, Hailla Vinson discovered her passion for dance early on, mastering rhythmic movement and precise footwork to express musicality through spins, leaps, and isolations. “I love the dressing up and the costumes of it all,” she says.
She carried that passion for discipline and expression into college, taking dance classes while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information science from the University of Maryland College of Information (INFO). Graduating in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, Vinson faced an uncertain job market. “Things were definitely very weird at the time,” she recalls. Many positions she applied for in late 2019 were canceled, forcing her to scramble. But her persistence paid off—she landed a role at T. Rowe Price, where she was later promoted to business analyst in April 2024.
Initially, Vinson was unsure about the role. “I would say I wanted to go with more of a computer science role,” she admits. But as she immersed herself in the work, she realized how much she valued human connection. A purely technical role might have led to isolating work, while her position allowed her to collaborate and problem-solve in a way that was both stimulating and rewarding.
“It’s rewarding in a way that’s kind of like solving a puzzle or completing a brain teaser. I am doing something that feels like a small victory every day,” she says. Even more fulfilling is knowing her work helps people achieve financial security, setting them and their families up for future success.
Vinson credits much of her professional growth to her INFO professors, including Professor Pamela Duffy, director of the information science program at College Park. She found Duffy’s courses, particularly “Object-Oriented Programming” and “Database Design and Modeling,” both challenging and inspiring. During her time at INFO, Vinson attended office hours frequently, deepening her understanding of course material. Though not a teaching assistant, she took on responsibilities just below that level, which reinforced her learning.
Her senior-year capstone project proved to be a pivotal experience. Partnering with a local government in College Park, she helped coordinate an election-related door-knocking initiative. But the project came with unexpected hurdles. “It was like pulling teeth to get that information, and I was like, ‘This is difficult. We’re trying to help you do your work.’”
The experience mirrored real-world challenges, teaching her valuable lessons about navigating bureaucratic obstacles and managing information effectively. Combined with Duffy’s mentorship and the technical foundation INFO provided, it gave Vinson the skills and confidence to excel in her career, proving that success—much like dance—requires both precision and adaptability.