Software Engineering
Behind the pins: Visual discovery at Pinterest
If you have ever found yourself scrolling through Pinterest searching for the perfect image to spark your next trendy outfit choice, start a DIY project, or create a mood board for a kitchen renovation, it’s likely that Robert Heler, ’12, and his Visual Search team had a hand in it.
“We help pinners find the inspiration they’re looking for,” Heler said. By suggesting related photos, recommending products, and harnessing AI, Heler’s team has helped millions of people realize their ideas, even when they can’t find the words to describe what they want.
With the explosive growth of AI, Pinterest encourages leveraging machine learning. “The languages are constantly evolving,” Heler said. “If you want to stay competitive, you have to get out of your comfort zone every day.”
“If you want to stay competitive, you have to get out of your comfort zone every day.”
Heler’s previous experience at an AI startup got him acquainted with tools that are critical for productivity. “My coding output has increased tenfold,” Heler said. “Things that used to take a week take an hour.”
However, it was a complex path to software engineering on the Visual Search team at Pinterest. After graduating from UR with degrees in computer science and biochemistry and molecular biology, Heler pursued a doctorate in genetics and biotechnology.
His advice for students facing a fork in the road? Don’t worry too much. “It is a marathon, so don’t overthink it,” Heler said. “You will end up where you are supposed to.”
Whether discussing the color trends of the week or integrating new technologies into the user experience, Heler’s team at Pinterest encourages creativity and enjoyment of the process.
“Pinterest says that they are the positive corner of the internet, and the day-to-day operations embody that,” Heler said. “Everyone is really happy.”