Name: Rebekah Butler
Educational Journey: Computer Science and Visual Art senior at Rhodes College
Experience: UX/UI Intern at AutoZone | Previous Creative Design Intern at Aktiva, Barcelona
Areas of Interest: Human-Computer Interaction; UX/UI; Creative Expression
What could you create if you stopped thinking of creativity and technology as separate?
For Rebekah Butler, creative expression has always been a part of who she is — experimenting creatively came naturally during adolescence, and was her intended career path. Then, a Kode with Klossy bootcamp expanded her worldview. Two weeks spent merging her creativity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript reimagined what was possible for career — and life! It was through this experience that the intended piano major realized she didn’t have to choose between artistry and technical ability. Her creativity could make her a better technologist, and technology could give her creativity new life!
“I found peace in coding, a feeling I never had in any other STEM subject”
Her NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Story
“In my senior year of high school, my AP instructor informed me about the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Western Tennessee Affiliate, and encouraged me to apply for the NCWIT AiC High School Award (the 2026 application is open until October 27th!). I won regional recognition, and being surrounded by inspiring women, especially Black women, at the reception deeply moved me!
As technology becomes increasingly crucial to our future, my goal in undergrad was to create more opportunities in the tech field in Memphis. To achieve this, I revitalized the Women in Computer Science Club, bringing together a diverse group of students interested in tech; we’ve hosted study sessions, established a mentoring program, and planned a hackathon for kids.”
On The Relationship Between Art and Technology
“The intersection of art and computer science is actually way more common than you’d think! Through my experiences, I’ve explored several avenues through UX/UI design, creating virtual environments, 3D animation, and HCI. My research professor encouraged me to look into Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and I’ve fostered a love for it. Because of her I was able to go to an HCI conference — SC24 — and currently have a paper in progress about embodiment!
From art, I’ve learned the importance of human perception. Whenever a person interacts with something, they bring a new viewpoint to the interaction based on their personal experiences. My creativity brings this consideration back into the tech space to ensure more people are in line with the product.”
When Human Imagination and Technology Converge
“I landed my internship at AutoZone from an alumni internship panel for CS students. I was drawn to the warmth of energy of the youngest and only woman on the panel, and ended up connecting well with her. She referred me for an IT role but after talking with the recruiter, she noticed I had a certificate in UX/UI design and thought my personality aligned with that space. She was correct and I’ve found a home in design. In the e-commerce department, I’ve worked on quite a few customer-facing projects, including product pages and review sections.
I’m still working with them and my biggest takeaway has been to not be afraid to speak up in meetings. I arrived at the position very shy and worried of overstepping, but the more I’ve spoken up, the more I’ve developed professionally and have gained more confidence — in my research, presentations, and self.”
“Spain is so beautiful, and I miss it every day. This experience really taught me that taking a breather is okay and that stress isn’t needed to succeed! While there, I worked on branding, digital design, and creative strategy including making their website both creatively compelling and technically scalable so they were able to continue working after I left. Thankfully, I was able to reach both goals while also keeping their audience in mind and successfully created a portfolio that exemplifies their work and their mission. This experience profoundly shaped my perspective on the intersection of technology, creativity, and human-centered design.”
“You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Just because you didn't start in grade school or even college doesn't mean you aren't capable of doing the things that excite you!”
Rebekah embodies the qualities that will shape the future of work in the coming years — skills that are grounded in curiosity, fueled by imagination and creativity, and open to possibility.
She is currently finishing her senior year and applying for graduate school. She hopes to explore a new city, meet new people, have her first solo exhibition — and of course, continue to be multifaceted!