Zero to Hero by Alvin-Trieu

Zero to Hero by Alvin-Trieu - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

The problem that arises with superpowers is not the power itself, but the person who wields it. We’ve all heard about heroes who go rogue and wreak havoc, while a previously ordinary human obtains awesome powers and saves the day. The superpower in today's day and age lies between the lines of code. Having full access to the web is equivalent to having the full power of the world.
From a young age, I was infatuated with the idea of saving people from the “bad guys.” I would like to put the blame on Spiderman, as he was seriously my idol growing up. This mission alongside my addiction to Video games sparked my curiosity in the field of computer science, specifically cybersecurity. Around the globe, there are people who use their knowledge of computer code to hack and disrupt the flow of life. These people who use their power for evil call for the need of cybersecurity analysts, the heroes.
Growing up I had always envied the web-slinger Spiderman. I wanted to swing around the neighborhoods and beat up the bad guys, however, in reality, I was Peter Parker, a nerd with no friends.
As a middle child, my upbringing often left me feeling isolated. I wasn't necessarily neglected, but it did feel like a constant battle for attention. My school friends provided companionship during the day, but off-campus, they were never around. This consistent solitude taught me to embrace myself and my skills rather than wait for recognition from others. I would find myself tirelessly clicking away at my computer playing Overwatch, where the heroes have to work together to bring down the enemy opponents. Through gaming, I was able to have fun while also boosting my communication skills with unfamiliar people online. The virtual world practically became my safe space and where I would ultimately hone my abilities against players from around the world, match after match, win after win. In the end, the idea of overcoming the other side, the bad side was something that I envisioned myself doing in the future. I wanted people throughout the world to feel safe online, just as I felt through my time playing games.
Taking on inspiration from my idol, I plan on one day creating my own webs to protect the people in need. Using the communication skills I obtained through my years of gaming, I hope to collaborate with people from all over to fight off the bad guys. It is my goal to study the countless components of computer science to better immerse myself in the concept and technical skill of creating secure computer systems, while also fending off hackers. Like Uncle Ben once told Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.”