My Goal To Earn A Computer Science Degree

The world of computers is advancing at an uncontrollable rate every single day. Computers play a huge role in our lives because they are virtually in everything we use and touch on a day to day basis. Computer Science has had an exponential growth in the last century and I want to be part of the exciting future which computing will bring. I have always wanted to know how and why computers work in the way they do. It fascinates me how a small machine such as a phone or computer has the ability to perform so many functions, all with the help of computer science.

Currently, I am on a gap year and in my free time I am re-teaching myself programming using an online resource called ‘CodeAcademy’. This website has been useful in teaching me the basics of programming using Python and developing my previous skills from studying Computing Science in high school. A program I recently developed was to calculate the average of numbers in a list. This was a great achievement for me as it was the first program I had written in a while on my own and it was rewarding to see it work. Also, my interest in Computer Science was further enhanced after watching a film called ‘The Social Network’. This was a really eye opening and exciting movie as it showed the way Mark Zuckerberg used computer programming to work on a small concept which has now turned into one of the biggest social networking sites.

Studying Computing Science at National 5 gave me a deeper insight into the computer industry and gave me an introduction to computer programming. I believe maths is very important in studying Computer Science. It provides you the skills of logical thinking and using different thought processes to solve a complex problem. These are skills which would be useful in computer science. I can speak 3 languages: English, Urdu and Punjabi. I studied Urdu by attending Urdu School twice a week since the age of eight which has allowed me to gain language skills and to integrate my important heritage into my life. This can be a useful tool in the world of work as it would allow me to communicate more effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds. I was also a pupil depute within the school community, a position of great responsibility and a role which required liaison between students, staff and parents. This role allowed me to increase my confidence, communication and teamwork skills. I volunteered with Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland for over 6 months. This helped me to interact with people from all walks of life and obtain a greater understanding of diverse human experience. Last summer, I was involved in a trip to Malawi to volunteer and improve the learning conditions for hundreds of students. This experience was a huge life changer as it changed my perception of other people in the world and how they are so happy with so little. My teamwork and leadership skills developed due to the fundraising events I had assisted with. This opportunity allowed me to boost my confidence around people I had never met and familiarise myself with people from different backgrounds. I tried to involve myself with the school as much as possible and put myself forward as a peer tutor in a Communication Support Maths class which allowed me to develop my communication skills and interact with people of different ages. As a way of relaxing I enjoy cooking and baking. This helps me to explore different cuisines and flavours and it gives me a sense of tranquillity.

Although I am still unsure of the exact path I would like to take after finishing my degree, I know that having a Computing Science degree will give me the opportunity to gain many transferable skills. I am currently looking into a number of different pathways, some of which include software engineering or postgraduate studies. For now, I intend to look forward to my years in university and hope to encounter new opportunities which will help me grow as a person.