Weekly Report #18: 01/19 - 01/26

Mentor Visit #1

This week was focused upon my meeting with my mentor, Al Christianson, at his workplace, Dell. This was my first official mentor visit with Mr. Christianson, not including the initial interview and the detail-oriented mentorship meeting the week before. During this visit, Mr. Christianson introduced me to Mark Colker, an employee at Dell who was extremely generous in showing me to different healthcare-based technologies, which increase both the effectiveness and flexibility of healthcare across the nation. To begin with, Mr. Colker introduced me to the Health Spot Station. This station, also known as a “Doc-In-A-Box”, provides patients with the personal interaction of one-on-one communication with a doctor, while minimizing the wait and time spent for the patients at the doctor’s office. This station epitomized the combination of technology and healthcare to exponentially improve the process of patient-doctor relationship. In fact, it also ensured the confidentiality of the relationship through the “box” feel. Furthermore, I was shown the pill station and other similar devices, which were more focused on the aspect of health monitoring at home. These technologies allowed for doctors to receive real-time data from patients in their everyday lives through monitoring devices which allowed for constant checking of various aspects of a patient’s condition. Overall, these two technologies provided me with great insight upon how technology is evolving fields such as healthcare.

Weekly Report #17: 01/12 - 01/19

Beginning Mentorship and Original Work

This week was based on two main components of my ISM journey: mentorship and original work. To begin with, I met with my mentor this week to finalize some of the details for the future of our mentorship process. We were able to lay down some guidelines as to how the partnership would progress and develop throughout the year, allowing us to create the path which will dictate the fruits of our labor throughout the semester. We initially conversed on how the mentorship itself would be executed; we decided that it would be a mix of office visits and product creation for my original work and final product. Furthermore, we would be meeting in two to three hour chunks, allowing us to be more efficient with our time, providing for the busy schedule of my travelling mentor. Moreover, we discussed dress code and similar items as to what the mentorship should achieve and the direction it will take. Additionally, as it pertains to my original work, my survey had astounding results. Over the course of a few days, I had received almost 150 responses to my survey, making it extremely successful and useful for my project, which will essentially analyze the data provided to initiate the creation of a product which will maximize efficiency and entertainment within communication.

Weekly Report #16: 01/05 - 01/12

Mentorship Finalized

This week was important for two big reasons. First of all, I was able to finalize my mentor selection. Secondly, I was able to further my original work research through survey creation. To begin with, after months of interviews and analysis, I contacted Mr. Al Christianson to be my mentor for the following semester of ISM, and he agreed to participate in the program with me. I am extremely blessed to have the opportunity to be under the tutelage and mentorship of such an influential and great individual such as Mr. Christianson. He can provide me with various avenues for learning, allowing me to progress much further than possible through my individual potential. Overall, I intend to utilize my time with Mr. Christianson to have a phenomenal intellectual experience throughout my journey in ISM, while also contributing to a furthered sense of potential and purpose for my future in the fields of computer science and business. Moreover, this week I was able to continue on my original work, which focuses on the idea of communication enablement. I have almost completed the initial survey for my data, which will later allow me to analyze public opinion upon communication today, thus to be utilized to formulate a plan to institute a more effective and constructive form of communication for society today.

Weekly Report #15: 12/15 - 12/22

Research Showcase

Research Showcase, the event which, for the past month, I had been preparing for, was finally this week. It took place at a nearby high school, with schools throughout the district presenting at the venue. Overall, I believed I performed extremely well at the showcase. Throughout the event, numerous individuals came to my board to discuss my passion for software engineering, and I received great feedback from all who viewed my board. Visitors were extremely impressed with the depth of my research and my understanding of my field. Though some questions were very superficial and first-level, many provoked deep thought within me as to a proper and prudent response. Nevertheless, I answered the queries and quandaries posed extremely well and in depth, providing visitors the understanding necessary to grasp the seemingly vague technological basis of my field. My content reflection with my performance at the showcase arises from how I felt individuals left my board with a greater understanding and knowledge of my field and its importance for the future of the human race. Moreover, I talked with Mr. Christianson regarding our research interview, and conversed with him regarding various matters of my research and my path within the Independent Study and Mentorship.