Curiosity Clicks, Innovation Unlocks: From Childhood Curiosity to a Software Engineering Vision by Saul

Curiosity Clicks, Innovation Unlocks: From Childhood Curiosity to a Software Engineering Vision by Saul - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

At ten years old, my coded creation, a pixelated stickman, came alive on the screen, its tiny jumps igniting a spark within me. This was more than just a coding project to me; this was my first glimpse of what the world of software engineering had in store for me. This small moment in a curious child's day would bloom into my lifelong vision of becoming a software engineer.

As a fourth-grader, I was hypnotized by Scratch, spending every moment of free time coding tirelessly to perfect games that I would later proudly show friends and family. Scratch was a website that could transform my boring school Chromebook into my coding machine. Unlike conventional coding languages, Scratch lets kids' imaginations run wild without worrying about pesky error codes or complicated rules. With its drag-and-drop-centered UI, anyone can learn the basics of coding to combine logic with imagination. I still remember the thrill of seeing my first creation, a wobbly yet determined stick figure, navigate the screen following the keystrokes I entered. This was not just a game anymore; this was the birth of a fascination that would shape my future. Scratch had opened the door to a world filled with logic and imagination that was nothing I had ever experienced before. My determination to keep following my deep interest in programming has never died down; I continue to dive deeper into the world of software engineering.

For years after 4th grade, Scratch continued to fuel my coding journey. In 7th grade, when faced with the question of future aspirations from teachers, my mind immediately returned to my coding hobby. I explored careers that involved my passion and stumbled upon software engineering. I knew that this career was my calling when I read the description. From this point forward, I became fixated on pursuing a career as a software engineer. I researched for anything that could help me in my mission and discovered the magic of the Arduino. This programmable circuit board opened the door to what was truly possible with coding, and I only fell more in love with software engineering. I could control lights, motors, and sensors, bringing my projects to life in ways I never imagined. However, a hurdle stood between my passion for coding, remaining a hobby, and transitioning into a career, and it lay in Arduino only supporting text-based coding. So, after years of only block-based coding, I radically switched to text-based programming. Replacing the colorful blocks I had become accustomed to and comfortable with for hand-typed code instead was like learning a new language. I had so many errors in my first program alone that it was comical, but I persevered. Every problem I encountered only served to fuel my desire and determination to become the best software engineer I could be.

Despite the immense challenge of learning text-based coding by myself, my high school career has been fueled by the desire to graduate from UNL as a Software Engineer. So far in high school, I am challenging myself with classes like AP Computer Science A, where I am learning the fundamentals of the coding language Java. Other classes I am challenging myself to take are AP Stats, AP Chemistry, and AP Biology, where I can push my problem-solving abilities. Beyond academics, I have actively sought opportunities to apply my skills and help inspire others. I was selected and invited to participate in a Statewide championship where I would have the opportunity to showcase my coding skills against other groups. As a tutor for Hour of Code, I had the incredible opportunity to teach two 4th graders how to code using block-based coding, just like I learned. Seeing the excitement on their faces when they ran their first program and saw it come to life reminded me of my own experience and solidified that I genuinely wanted to become a software engineer.

From early code dreams to crafting tangible solutions, my software engineering journey unfolds. UNL's major in Software Engineering does not just promise a degree; it promises a journey toward a fulfilling career. The thought of having a job I wake up excited to go to every day motivates me to persevere. All ignited by a single pixelated spark, my journey has transformed into a relentless passion for crafting software that leaves a lasting positive impact.