Computer Science – A Constant And Natural Component Of My Life
One of the most interesting aspects of Computer Science to me is that it facilitates how we live our lives in ways that many people take for granted. For example, one area I’m particularly excited to study is artificial intelligence systems. This could be a mobile phone assistant or even emerging self-driving cars - these are systems that people do or will accept as standard, without considering the complex levels of AI decision-making required to perform their functions. I’m also interested in the benefit Computer Science can provide to what is becoming a more global society because of these developments. Chiefly however, I’m interested in how and why it works.
That is why Computer Science is a choice that comes naturally to me at university level, and it’s why I chose the A-Level subjects that I did. My study of Digital Technology has offered me both a wide and specialized insight in to the world of computing, from the surge in demand for development born out of the software crisis to an in-depth explanation of the object-oriented approach, and its place within software development. My Digital Technology classes have also offered practical experience alongside class theory, where I’ve taken on programming tasks such as the coding of a calculator in C# using Visual Studio, and the development of a bespoke database as part of coursework assessment.
My further studies in A-Level Economics and Geography have also provided me with a wide range of transferable skills that I can apply to my interest in Computer Science. For example, Economics requires you to use logical patterns of thinking with detailed chains of analysis, which you can then use to explain why a certain effect occurred and which individual steps lead to that result. This behavior is rather similar to that of a computer program, and I believe developing this type of thinking has aided me in grasping certain aspects of computing more easily. I also feel the time I have spent at the college has allowed me to become a more independent and self-driven person, capable of taking the initiative when I need to solve a problem on my own. Because of this I feel I am better equipped for life at university than I would have otherwise been at a traditional school.
I have also brought this interest in computing in to my extracurricular activities, making use of the many available online resources to improve my understanding and ability in programming, such as Codeacademy and Solo Learn. In addition to this, I have engaged in further reading around the subject, for example The Annotated Turing by Charles Petzold, which has greatly expanded the way I think about Computer Science. One of its greatest strengths to me was its more accessible nature as a commentary on a scientific paper, and I very much enjoyed the perspective it granted.
One benefit that I appreciate I had growing up was a window in to the world of computing in the form of my father, who was tinkering with the hardware of his own computer builds and developing websites for people as a self-employed man from when I was very young. To see him so driven to succeed in this field has always inspired me, and I greatly enjoyed working alongside him in my work experience where I helped him construct an online store. This provided me with a different kind of challenge as I was dealing with the more business end of computing, where much of the development is done and you get to see how that development facilitates the actual tasks the end user needs to carry out, and how the system needs to respond to that input.
As such, Computer Science has always been a very constant and natural component of my life and I look forward to expanding that interest, both at university and over the rest of my life as my chosen career path. As the world of computing continues to accelerate, I can’t wait to be a part of it.
