Weekly Report #4: 9/22 - 9/29

The Beginnings of Research

This week was defined by scheduling interviews. Throughout the course of the week, the main focus was to schedule multiple research-based interviews to understand more about the computer science field through understanding the perspectives of individuals who work in such on a daily basis. Therefore, I began the process of mapping out how to schedule interviews and with whom to schedule such research through various aspects. These methods included the creation of a communications log and finally the actual calling of professionals within the computer science field. The calls received mixed reviews; although at first, many of my initial calls went straight to voice mail, I received call backs and was able to schedule two interviews for this upcoming week. With my prior list of questions set for what I'd like to gain knowledge-wise from each interaction, I am prepared to participate in these interviews and garner a further understanding of the computer science field and what it holds for me in the future.

This upcoming week, I intend to not only participate in these interviews, but also begin the creation of my research portfolio, while continuing the calling and scheduling process for more interviews in the future. This will hopefully allow me to continue towards the path I have paved and envisioned for myself to find the mentor who will help me progress towards the ultimatum of better understanding of my future.

Weekly Post #3: 9/15 - 9/22

Presenting the Past for My Future

This week was focused on how to present myself to business professionals in a manner to ensure proper manners and ethics while successfully and efficiently broadcasting the information necessary to ensure the achievement of my goals. To begin with, I practiced proper handshakes and introductions in face-to-face conversation. I learned how the proper handshake takes place and how to keep  a conversation with physical aspects rather than the usual vocal attributes. Furthermore, I practiced calling an individual on the phone in search for a research interview with a professional in our respective fields. This provided me with some necessary understanding of the intangibles it takes to be successful in retrieving required information through the phone. To further this ability, I added professional aspects to my technology, from voice mail greeting to the signature of our emails. This furthers my presentation of myself by allowing me to showcase my professional and best etiquette to adults. Moreover, I worked on improving my resume's format and presentation to ensure my abilities are best showcased. To add to that, I wrote a research assessment in which I discussed the future of computer science as a field and how it has changed over time. Overall, this week was characterized by its preparation as it pertains to me towards presenting myself for prosperity in the future.

This upcoming week, I hope to utilize this experience and practice to begin calling and scheduling interviews with prospective mentors for my future in this program. This will hopefully be the essence of what I will aspire to become as I progress through the ISM journey.

Career Industry Forecast

This outlines some questions I'd like to answer over the course of my journey through the Independent Study and Mentorship Program:


1.  Difference between computer science and computer engineering as majors in college.
2   What exactly a profession of computer engineer entails.
3.   The correlation between a physics background and computer science/engineering
4.   What companies look for when hiring computer engineers.
5.   What jobs result from majors/minors in business and computer science together
6.    Different branches of computer engineering/science during and after college
7.    Income out of college
8.    Any forms of certification/requirements to become computer engineer (programming language fluency, experience, etc.)
9.      How do social skills play in the computer engineering department.
10.   Daily routine (projects or daily work, group or individual)
11.   How one receives promotions or moves up chain of command (experience? commitment?)

Weekly Report #2: 9/8 - 9/15

The Science of Computer Science

This week was the starting point of my research and blog. I began the week by focusing on the presentation of the information I will gather for the rest of this year. To properly present the research I will partake in for the next 6-8 months, I created this blog, which would sufficiently allow my readers and viewers to find and search information regarding the progress and extent of my research this year. I was advised on tips to make the blog a more succinct and positive representation of myself and my desired profession. I was able to utilize the capabilities of Google Blogger to initiate the creation of a blog which I hope will remain with me for the rest of my life and will ensure that I can store and present all of what I plan to do this upcoming year. By creating the blog, I've created the foundation for the upcoming research of this program.

Furthermore, I took part in my first research assessment. This assessment referred to the different aspects of computer science and engineering. The various branches and implications of each respective degree were previously unknown to me; therefore, through this research assessment, I was able to analyze the aspects of each profession in the computer science/engineering field and distinguish for myself a more distinct and specific path to follow for the foreseeable future. This further allowed me to understand my own capabilities and gather confidence within myself in my ability and potential to be successful in the field of computer science. Overall, this week served effective in that it allowed to narrow my path towards my future, and showcased to me how immensely capable I am despite limitations in the coding aspect of computer science. 

This upcoming week, I hope to further my research of computer science through broadening my perspective of what a computer science profession entails in daily life, and in essence, bettering my understanding of the field of technology which is my future.

Mission Statement

My mission in the Independent Study and Mentorship Program is to gain experience and knowledge in the computer science field as it pertains to its technical and business aspects. I intend to experience the computer engineering field through shadowing a mentor to receive a realistic viewpoint on life in the computer science field. Furthermore, I hope to garner the knowledge of understanding what is required to succeed in computer science, regarding both my personality and my intellectual vitality. This will lay the foundation for my future by setting the stepping stones through which I can achieve my potential as an individual.

Personal Quote

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself" - George Bernard Shaw

This quote showcases what ISM means to me. Opportunities in life aren't given to the individual. One must go out in the world and search for what he or she needs and wants. My aspirations in ISM are to increase the proactive capabilities within myself. This will allow my future to be dictated by my own actions rather than mere luck. I intend for my ISM journey to be one attempting to tap into the potential which I see within myself, and hopefully fulfilling my aspirations through my own proactive dedication.

Weekly Post #1: 8/25 - 9/8

Great Expectations

During these first two weeks in the Independent Study and Mentorship Program, I have been introduced to the program and the work ahead as it pertains to my research and activities. To begin with, I gave an introductory speech in regards to my personality, my aspirations, and my field for this program this year. I learned how to speak in front of an audience and common mistakes made by individuals when they speak. This allowed me to understand how to minimize flaws in speeches while maximizing the productivity of the message. Later in the week, I was given various words of wisdom regarding proper conversation, speech etiquette, professional dress reviews, and more. I learned how to properly greet someone with a firm handshake and professional dress, including, but not limited to, a suit and tie. This will hopefully set the foundation for the positive image I hope to showcase to business professionals and possible mentors in the future. Moreover, I have worked on setting the stage for what I want to research about computer science during the extent of this program, while also writing interview questions which will be utilized when I interview possible candidates to become my mentor for this program. Overall, I am content with the work done and knowledge retrieved these first two weeks, and I hope to further this beginning foundation this next week through resume work, contact information gathering, and more.