What do computer programming and music have in common? More than meets the eye, according to Christopher Bloodsworth, a University of Florida computer science grad and local full-time engineer at MRSL. Some of the first music he learned was associated with his favorite video games. And it was a strong arts program that led Bloodworth to choose Suncoast Polytechnical High School in Sarasota where he also studied animation and gaming. “I believe programming is an art. Problem-solving isn’t just pattern mapping. There is a creative element. There’s a relationship between art and programming which allows you to look at a problem both analytically and creatively.”
As his interest in coding and programming grew, he appreciated the benefits of dovetailing his interests. Bloodsworth decided to pursue engineering as a major and began his journey at the State College of Florida, taking all the necessary foundation courses to be a successful student in a demanding discipline. It was not until he was actively working side-by-side with other students on the same trajectory that his passion for engineering came alive. “My time at SCF was so personal. And it helps to surround yourself with people who know the stuff you want to know.” Speaking of people who know stuff, Bloodsworth took his first University of Florida course, Fundamentals of the New Engineer while he was still completing his tracking courses locally. The single-credit class packed a lot of punch with weekly meetings featuring a guest speaker from the engineering field. It opened his eyes to the numerous local opportunities for engineering internships and full-time jobs.
Bloodsworth planned to transfer to the University of Florida in 2020 when COVID-19 derailed his and everyone else’s plans. Classes started online, but eventually, he made his way to UF Gainesville, decided to pick up a minor in Math, and joined the UF Opensource Club, a community of makers that collaborate on open-source projects. Accessing the student group community early in his college journey meant there was always help available when he needed it. In the Summer of 2023 with assistance and encouragement from UF Innovation Station’s Industry Partners Coordinator, Bloodsworth applied for an internship at MRSL, a Sarasota-based software company specializing in signal processing systems. “MRSL was a once-in-a-lifetime internship. The work was so applicable with things I was interested in learning,” Bloodsworth explains. He graduated from the University of Florida in May of 2024 and went to work full-time at MRSL that summer. When asked what advice he would give a young student who aspires to a career in engineering, Bloodsworth does not hesitate, “Learn as much as possible, go the extra mile, and always stay curious.”
Christopher Bloodsworth remains an active member of the UF Open-source Club, participates on GitHub, and lives and works in Sarasota County. He still loves video game music but has begun to explore a more classical genre. Bringing young talented individuals like him back to the Sarasota community to contribute amazing skills and ideas should be music to everyone’s ears.
For more information about internships in the Sarasota area, please contact Jason Krywko at jkrywko@eng.ufl.edu.