My Introduction

Hello everyone,

I’m Mark, and I’m excited to begin this final Capstone course at Oregon State University (OSU) as part of my journey towards a Computer Science (CS) degree. Prior to entering this CS program, I spent my time working as a technician in hospitals before transitioning to become a medical implants consultant. While I found these positions rewarding, I longed for a career that was both highly technical and focused on problem-solving. It was during this contemplative period that my brother-in-law, a software developer, recommended computer programming and provided me with a Python book that ignited my fascination and ultimately led me to pursue a CS degree.

Reflecting on my journey, I can’t help but appreciate how far I’ve come. I still chuckle when I think back to those early days in the program, struggling to set up PuTTY and navigate the complexities of VIM while tackling my coding assignments. To add to the challenge, I was part of the last cohort that learned C++ in the introductory courses, CS161 and C162. However, a few terms later, I found myself in the role of a Teaching Assistant for CS161 and later for CS325 and CS361. It’s a testament to the power of persistence and continuous growth.

Leveraging my background in healthcare, my aspiration is to apply the knowledge and skills acquired at OSU to address the unique challenges within the biotechnology industry. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to the development of software applications that can significantly enhance people’s health outcomes.

Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction, and I look forward to engaging with you all in this course.

Best,
Mark