Intended Area of Focus: Engineering and Technology Management
As an independent web developer for the past six years, Ive had the opportunity to be involved in almost every stage of the web development process. One area has particularly interested me: the planning and communication that goes into making a project happen. Unfortunately, in many technology-oriented projects, this is one of the areas where it all falls apart, as the people involved programmers, graphic designers, business managers, executives, and others seem to speak a different language. My interest lies in being the translator between these different groups, ensuring that everyone is clear on the expectations and requirements for a project.
Ive gained experience in this field through both my current job and my extracurricular activities. As Webmaster and a Research Assistant in the Office of Planning and Institutional Research, Ive taken surveys and the department web site from start to finish, procuring the resources needed to present a professional final product to the universitys President and the university systems Board of Trustees. As President of a 150 plus member online role-playing game, Ive coordinated 12 different administrative officers to keep the game prospering in an increasingly competitive market. Within the university, Ive frequently been called upon to manage extracurricular activities, including the beginning stages of the universitys ACM and IEEE chapters. With the support of my advisor, when the members of the towns community come to the university for web site support, Ive been the one to recruit a team of helpers and come up with a workable solution that meets both present and future needs.
I will contribute my motivation, my dedication, and my enthusiasm to the School of Engineering and Applied Science. In return, I feel that, through the University, I will secure the academic foundation to support my practical experience, enabling me to be that person who can speak all of the languages.