About
Hi, I’m Pauline Cha, a 2024 Davidson College graduate with a deep love for building thoughtful, impactful software. This portfolio reflects not just my technical journey, but also my values—as a Christian and a coder—committed to creating with integrity, purpose, and compassion. Thanks for visiting.
My Technical Journey
Education
Bachelor of Science; Computer Science
High Honors (Cum Laude)
2020 - 2024
Davidson College, Davidson, NC
Relevant Coursework: Discrete Structures, Data Structures, Computer Organization, Computer Graphics, Analysis of Algorithms, Critical Website Design, Art for Game
Work Experience
Software Engineer Intern
September 2025 - Present
Peak Performance Solutions -- Hollywood, MD
- Developed in Python using FastAPI and Pydantic to integrate and serve large language models, ensuring robust prompt handling, data validation, and structured output delivery
- Tech Stack: A full-stack web application built with a React frontend, a Python (Pydantic) backend API, and powered by Firebase and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Key Growth Point: Developed a disciplined AI-assisted workflow, shifting from raw code generation to active engineering oversight—using rigorous code reviews, unit testing, and edge-case validation to ensure AI-generated features met production security and quality standards.
Student Researcher
January 2023 - May 2024
Davidson College DRIVE Research Lab -- Davidson, NC
- Coordinated user testing for a VR application, executing detailed test procedures, collecting data, and documenting results that contributed to published research
- Developed a cross-platform VR application using C# and Unity for educational research
- Supported published research with significant findings in VR education, leading to expansion across multiple colleges
- Key Growth Point: Strengthened technical adaptability by diving into official documentation and navigating unfamiliar, legacy Unity C# codebases—successfully porting a standalone game into an optimized, head-tracked mobile VR experience using Google Cardboard.
Software Development Intern – API Integration
October 2023 - December 2023
Startup Collaboration Program (Gig-Hub), Davidson, NC
- Partnered with a early-stage startup team to translate product requirements into functional software integrations on an accelerated 3-month timeline.
- Analyzed internal technical specifications and third-party API documentation to quickly ramp up on an established codebase and deliver feature updates.
- Key Growth Point: Mastered self-directed onboarding in production codebases—learning how to independently read API documentation, unblock technical constraints, and execute quality work in fast-moving agile environments.
Teaching Assistant
January 2023 - September 2023
Davidson College Computer Science Department, Davidson, NC
- Taught Java basics to beginners, helping students master key concepts and ensuring 100% course pass rate
- Mentored 10+ students who continued pursuing a computer science degree after instruction
- Debugged and reviewed student code across multiple projects within limited office hours
- Key Growth Point: Refined the ability to bridge complex engineering concepts with clear, layman-friendly explanations— learning to distill abstract logic, data structures, and debugging mental models into accessible analogies for non-technical learners.
Software Developer Intern
May 2022 - August 2022
Kodexa, Charlotte, NC
- Coded and debugged data extraction automation software tailored for clientele, enhancing data accuracy up to 98%
- Performed regression testing on 400+ data points to validate code improvements and development efficiency
- Maintained clear communication to ensure alignment on project status and deliverables as a remote collaborator
Skills
Java, CSS, Markdown, LaTeXFluent
HTML, CSS, Markdown, LaTeXFluent
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Figma Fluent
Git, Rest, JSONFluent
Skills Extended
Database Management
Developed a prototype application using the Spotify API, integrating it with a MySQL database through custom queries and backend logic.
Communication
I've collaborated with several teams across different projects and am currently working with a remote development team, where clear and consistent communication is essential for staying aligned and delivering results.
Teamwork
I’ve embraced Agile teamwork by conducting regular check-ins to track progress, collaboratively prioritizing and planning next steps, and delegating tasks alongside a coding partner to drive efficient and iterative project development.
Time Management
Balancing multiple jobs and projects has strengthened my time management skills, helping me prioritize tasks effectively, stay organized under pressure, and consistently meet deadlines while maintaining quality work.
