Hi, my name is Emma Wang, and this summer I was able to participate in a guided PC build workshop. I was able to build a PC that can be an engineering workstation while gaining technical skills that aren’t taught in classes. I was also able to gain experience about the inner workings of a computer, improving my tech fluency.
The first transformation that occurred over the course of this project is I learned a lot more about computer hardware engineering. The special thing about building a PC is that you realize every single component is modular, and any single piece can be individually upgraded or replaced. I never knew about this before, as I had always used pre-build laptops and iPads that weren’t easily taken apart and rebuilt. This helped me realize the beauty of hand-built PCs, where different modules can be uprgaded independently as the user’s needs change. This is similar in concept to what I’ve learned about emphasizing end user needs in engineering courses. The second transformation that took place over this project is that I learned more about how I approach problems. Because I’ve never built a PC before, every step had to be carefully researched before I felt comfortable moving forward in the build. I was very wary about breaking any components by putting them in the wrong orientation, or crushing any pins etc, so progress was slow as I navigated through the different build steps. I learned that I tend to approach problems carefully, but that I needed to be careful to avoid being caught up in the small details.
One key aspect of completing this computer build was doing research online. First, I needed to research the necessary specs to support the capabilities I wanted for my PC. Next, I researched part compatibility to determine if the parts I had in mind would fit together inside the case. Finally, I used an online price tracker to find the optimal deals to take advantage of. This process helped me develop my eye for detail. as improperly chosen parts would not work together, or not fit on the motherboard properly, etc.
The next important part of this project was learning how to problem solve. Computer builds almost never go perfectly for a first time builder, and I ran into a multitude of issues. One of them was being afraid of breaking the delicate pins on the various parts while fitting them together. It took some bravery to push down hard on parts that cost hundreds of dollars. I overcame this fear by doing extensive research and watching videos of other people documenting their builds so I could be more confident in my actions. Another major problem I ran into was accidentally ordering the wrong sized CPU cooler due to the correct part being out of stock This was a mistake that cost me my original internal plan. I had to completely rework the inner structure of my PC in order to fit the part in. I learned about being adaptable when the problem cannot be solved.
The third part of this project that was transforming was working with friends on the PC. At multiple points in the build, I worked alongside people who had experience building PCs to overcome complicated parts. Learning how to work efficiently together in a cramped space required cooperation and being willing to hold parts in place while the other person screwed it in. I had to learn how to appreciate the building process even when it wasn’t always me doing the most exciting parts. This skill will definitely be useful in the future when I work on teams again and I need to cooperate with others.
This transformation was very valuable to me because not only was I able to build a PC that can be an engineering workstation, I also gained a lot of invaluable skills as well as learned about computer hardware careers through the STEP course. Academically, this PC will support my goals because my laptop can’t handle a lot of 3D modeling softwares such as Solidworks that I will need in my engineering career. For research, I will also be learning to use ImageJ software, which will run a lot better on my PC. As for my future plans, I was able to gain technical skills that aren’t taught in engineering classes. One of the main barriers between my biomedical engineering major and my future goals is the lack of technical experience gained during college courses regarding technical and hardware skills. Employers in the healthcare engineering field I want to enter typically look for strong mechanical and computer engineering skills, skills that I believe could be further supplemented with a project such as this. This project allowed me to develop these skills and increase my confidence working with computers.
