Member Profile: Pamela Melgar
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I’m currently working with Girls Who Code as one of their summer instructors! I have always told myself that I do not want to be a teacher long-term, but I have been a teaching assistant for 8 courses throughout college, and worked as a private instructor for iDTech one summer… so my resume says the opposite! I love being part of inspiring the next generation, particularly motivating other underrepresented groups to pursue STEM and/or art. I do hope that in my future career aspirations as a TD or Tech Artist, I am doing some form of mentoring or inspiring others along the way.
2. What was your first job?
My first job was as a barista at my university’s newly opened cafe freshman year. I was so desperate to find a work-study at the time with zero work experience I remember nervously going up to the manager and asking for a job, she asked for my available hours, and soon enough I was the best and fastest barista you’ve ever seen!
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
I just graduated this May (2024) with my B.S. in Computer Science and my B.F.A. in Studio Art at Tufts University near Boston, MA!
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I first heard of ACM SIGGRAPH from a last minute coffee-chat with MK Haley in June of 2020 I saw advertised on Handshake by my school. I read “Disney Imagineering” and immediately jumped at the opportunity, not thinking too much of it. I actually think they were looking for more engineered-focused students, but MK was incredibly kind to give a college freshman feedback on their resume, listen to my interests, and tell me all about the SIGGRAPH student volunteer program. I missed the 2021 volunteer deadline, but made a promise to myself to apply for 2022. Long story short, I started a student chapter at my university and am a Team Lead volunteer for the 2024 conference!
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
My favorite SIGGRAPH conference memory is definitely watching the electronic theater live with the other volunteers as well as exploring the city together. The conference week always makes my heart so full, we are strangers one day and able to share our passions and interests with one another so quickly. I’m constantly in awe at the talent and kindness found within the student volunteer community, and I’m so lucky to be a part of such a welcoming group of people.
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
My BFA senior thesis project was a documentary mixed-media animation of the immigration story of my parents from Guatemala. It was a full-circle moment to combine footage from my first trip to Guatemala in 2022 and combine live-action with 3D animation to tell an emotional story about the meaning of home, love, sacrifice, and family from the perspective of a child of immigrants. I love storytelling and my artistic practice has revolved around immigrant activism for the longest time. It was an emotional rollercoaster to get the work done for sure, and with more time I would have loved to have developed tools to support the set design.
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
I would like to have dinner with my grandmother in Guatemala. I have only seen her in-person twice in my life and I think the opportunity to sit down with her for dinner while she tells me what my parents were like when they were my age could be a fun time, plus the food is obviously going to be more amazing than anything you can get here in the United States!
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a huge Pokemon nerd, all the gen 1-4 evolutions occupy a borderline embarrassing permanent home in my memory. I also love video games, currently working to finish Cuphead with my partner.
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
I have learned so much from my mom about being resilient and persistent to pursue my passions in life. I remember feeling embarrassed sharing my dream to one day work on an animated feature, not knowing exactly how any of it works, really. My mom has always been supportive of my goals even during times I lose sight of them while trying to get a paycheck. She supported me pursuing art school and even in my shift towards computer science. Seeing the credits roll after a Pixar film with her is so wholesome because she always says, “look that will be your name up there one day.”
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
The entire SVSC team and SV community has been a huge supportive influence on my decision to stick with ACM SIGGRAPH for sure. If I had to name just one person, Diana Arellano, the 2022 SV Program Chair has been a huge influence for me personally. Not only is she a strong latina idol in the field, but her personality and passion for the students and her work truly shows. If it had not been for meeting her virtually, I don’t think I would have ever been able to attend SIGGRAPH in-person. It was a huge leap for my personal growth to solo travel across the continent to attend the conference. You rock Diana!
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?
Being able to say I have the best network and support system in my professional life is something I’m incredibly proud of. I consider myself to be mostly introverted and in a constant battle with imposter syndrome, but one thing my family taught me is to always show kindness to others and work your hardest! As a daughter of immigrants, first-generation graduate, and underrepresented within the field, I truly have started from near zero. However, I am proud of the leaps I’ve taken, incredible friends I’ve made around the world, new things I’ve learned, and people I’ve brought along with me on my journey.