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UCSC C.S. Graduate: AI/ML, Data Structures, & everything programming
Elias C.

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Hourly Rate: $49

About Elias


Bio

My experience in computer science comes from 3 institutions and 8 years of learning the in's and out's of programming and how good programming students and professionals think. I think that gives me a unique perspective as a tutor. I graduated from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, and I passed my AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles exams with 5's. I got my Associate of Science in Computer Science at Orange Coast College with a 3.92 GPA and successfully transferred...

My experience in computer science comes from 3 institutions and 8 years of learning the in's and out's of programming and how good programming students and professionals think. I think that gives me a unique perspective as a tutor. I graduated from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, and I passed my AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles exams with 5's. I got my Associate of Science in Computer Science at Orange Coast College with a 3.92 GPA and successfully transferred to UC Santa Cruz. At UCSC, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science with AI/ML and systems programming as my capstone, graduating with a 3.41 GPA. Having gone through OCC's CS curriculum myself, I'm deeply familiar with the specific courses, expectations, and sticking points that students there encounter, and my experience in university gives me the big picture of what is expected of CS students further down their path.

My tutoring experience has been informal but consistent from high school through university (Ages 14-22). I've always helped classmates and friends work through material whenever I find myself ahead of the curve. I explained difficult concepts, worked through problem sets together, and helped others build real skills and intuition for CS. I've been told repeatedly that I'm patient, clear, and genuinely effective at breaking things down. That feedback means a lot to me because I take helping others seriously, even outside of a formal or professional setting.

What motivates me most is keeping students out of the frustration and burnout that I've seen all too often when hard concepts don't click. I really think that the right explanation at the right moment can totally change someone's relationship with CS for the better. I'm happy working one-on-one and adapting my approach to how a particular student thinks, and I'm genuinely invested in helping students build real skills and confidence to success at and beyond their next exam, quiz, programming assignment.


Education

University of California, Santa Cruz
Computer Science

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $49
  • Rate details: Contact me! I'm happy to discuss rate case by case.
  • Lesson cancellation: 1 hours notice required
  • No background check

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

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Approved Subjects

C

C

I studied systems programming at UC Santa Cruz with a concentration in AI/ML and systems, where I worked extensively with C in coursework covering operating systems, multithreading, and POSIX sockets. I built a multithreaded HTTP proxy from scratch, gaining hands-on experience with memory management, pointer arithmetic, and low-level system calls. My background in computer architecture gives me a strong foundation for explaining how C maps directly to hardware behavior. I enjoy helping students bridge the gap between high-level thinking and the low-level mechanics that C exposes.
C++

C++

I completed C++ Programming 1 and 2 at Orange Coast College with A grades before transferring to UC Santa Cruz, where I earned my Bachelor's in Computer Science (frequently using C++ in higher level courses). My C++ background covers the fundamentals through object-oriented programming, pointers, memory management, and data structures. I've helped peers through this material consistently throughout my academic career and know where students tend to get stuck. I know how to build real understanding with C++ on top of just getting code to compile.
Computer Programming

Computer Programming

I've programmed across multiple languages throughout my academic career — Java and C++ at Orange Coast College with A grades, and C, Python, and systems-level programming at UC Santa Cruz. My coursework covered everything from introductory programming through algorithms, data structures, and OS-level concepts. I've consistently helped peers work through programming assignments and debugging from high school through university, across beginner and intermediate levels.
Computer Science

Computer Science

I earned my Associate of Science in Computer Science from Orange Coast College and went on to complete my Bachelor's in Computer Science at UC Santa Cruz, with coursework spanning data structures, algorithms, computer architecture, operating systems, and AI. I've been the person my peers come to for help since high school, working through assignments and concepts one-on-one across all levels of the CS curriculum. I know the OCC CS coursework specifically from having done it myself, which means I know exactly where things get hard and what concepts need extra attention.
Data Structures

Data Structures

I studied data structures formally at both Orange Coast College (Java, A grade) and UC Santa Cruz (B), applying the concepts again through algorithm analysis and systems coursework. My language background covers implementations in Java, C++, and C, so I can meet students where they are regardless of what their course uses. I've worked through this material with peers throughout my academic career and have a solid sense of where the concepts — trees, graphs, sorting, complexity analysis — tend to trip people up.
General Computer

General Computer

I have years of hands-on experience with everyday computer use, including navigating Windows and Linux operating systems, browsing the web, managing files and folders, and using common applications like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. I stay current with modern technology and can explain how things like email, browsers, internet connections, and cloud storage actually work in plain, easy-to-understand terms. I am patient and adaptable, and I understand that not everyone comes from a technical background — my goal is to make technology feel approachable and less intimidating. Whether you are a beginner trying to build basic confidence or someone looking to fill in specific gaps, I am happy to meet you exactly where you are.
HTML

HTML

I have worked with HTML throughout my CS education, building web interfaces and static sites as part of coursework and personal projects. I currently develop and maintain my own personal website, giving me practical experience with modern HTML structure, semantic elements, forms, and linking. I understand how HTML fits into the broader web development stack alongside CSS and JavaScript. I can help students learn everything from basic page structure to more nuanced topics like accessibility and best practices.
Java

Java

Java was one of the first programming languages I studied formally, completing coursework at Orange Coast College where I earned strong grades covering object-oriented programming, inheritance, interfaces, and data structures. I have since applied OOP principles across multiple languages and projects, giving me a deep understanding of the concepts that Java is built around. I am comfortable explaining everything from basic syntax and control flow to more advanced topics like polymorphism, exception handling, and collections. I find Java especially rewarding to teach because its strict structure helps students develop clean, disciplined coding habits.
Python

Python

Python is my most fluent programming language and the one I use most heavily in my AI and machine learning work, including projects built with PyTorch, scikit-learn, and OpenAI Gym. At UC Santa Cruz I completed a capstone AI project and multiple ML assignments in Python, and I have since used it for backend development with FastAPI and PostgreSQL. I am well-versed in Python's core features including data structures, object-oriented programming, file I/O, recursion, and functional tools. I can help students at any level, from writing their first script to tackling more advanced topics like decorators, generators, and working with external libraries.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I have a strong mathematics background built through advanced coursework including AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, and Linear Algebra at the university level, covering all topics tested on the SAT Math section and beyond. I have studied the structure and patterns of the SAT exam closely and understand the specific question types, traps, and timing pressures that students commonly struggle with. My approach balances genuine conceptual understanding with practical test-taking strategy, including how to eliminate answers, recognize shortcut opportunities, manage your time across sections, and stay composed under pressure. I believe that real math confidence and smart exam tactics go hand in hand, and I work to build both so students walk in on test day feeling fully prepared.
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Hourly Rate: $49
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