Reflection
I participated in a STEP advised Computer Build Project. Noticeable points during the project were choosing parts, the build, future implications, and the presentation. The first step was choosing compatible parts to ensure the build should work. After choosing compatible parts we all had to go through the process of building our PCs, which included fixing and overcoming any obstacle we had. After the build, we discussed future implications that go along with building a PC, some examples include certificates, career, and more. We then at the end had a small presentation where we had the chance to talk about and show off our builds.
In my eyes this is life changing. I never truly understood how deep and how truly limitless it almost feels after learning such knowledge. From what I have learned, there is still a journey ahead that allows for more growth. The amount of jobs and opportunities you have with not only making the device but after you make the device is incredible. The things you can do can range from something like network designer to possibly becoming a computer technician and just so much more. I am glad our advisor/teacher opened our eyes to what you can truly do. On top of this, without this program I would have never had an opportunity like this. I always let my old and bad PC bring me down and limit me thinking I could never be capable of anything more. There was even a time I did not think I would be able to make it work. In the end it was worth it and I was so grateful that it finally did work after many attempts. I feel confident now to be able to work on more technology and more confident on my abilities that can be used on the computer as well!
My perspective changed through the events and interactions throughout the program. The first and most notable is the information I learned. Our instructor taught us about future opportunities, most notably career options. This included multiple kinds of certificates in many different areas. Things that stuck out were cybersecurity, the programming language python, and PC repair/build style jobs. These three areas and more have opened up the world to many different approaches you can take with such a skill. It is so diverse that something he made clear is you can get beginner/novice level certificates, after joining a company you can see what they will need. After you find out what they need, you just go further into depth in those areas. With all of his teachings in mind, I will look down the many roads I can take. I started to look into learning a programming language. I have installed visual studio which is a software that can be used for development, also known as an IDE (Integrated Development Environment).
Another influence on my growth was that I had my friend Peyton there with me. He knows more about computers than I do. Having him there really increased my confidence and abilities for working on the computer even though we struggled. He helped me push through the times we had to take breaks and even got very frustrated. Like the saying goes, 2 minds are always greater than 1. Him giving me advice and some of his knowledge to help me with the build brought us together more. I do not normally get an excuse to hang out with my friends so it was very nice I got to share my first new experience with a friend I have known for years! Without him I also would have been more lost on some of the troubleshooting as we kept shooting ideas back and forth. Because of him if I had to do this again but alone I know I would be able to achieve success. I also know he will continue to push me to do things and learn new things like a language or a type of software. We are also hoping to build him a computer next as well once he gets a budget together!
Budgeting, it seems like my family’s worst nightmare as none of us are good at it, but I had no choice but to do well. Not only did I have to make sure the budget worked, I had to make sure the parts were compatible as well as power evenly distributed. It was also important to make sure I was truly getting every dollar’s worth. As the budget was only $1,500 and parts could be expensive I had to make sure what I was gonna get could be expanded upon without bottlenecking another part. As much as I wish I could be the most expensive everything and absolutely deck out the computer I had to be smart. It did help me learn to keep a good budget, on top of this I did learn to be able to research parts with effectiveness and use tools to help achieve a higher success.
In the end I do stand by what I said earlier, this is life changing knowledge and hardware. It is so important because even though I may not be a computer science major this is still relevant for me and a never ending learning process, as technology will continue to advance. Having the skills and opportunities to advance with technology will be important to anyone’s future. This also gives me a chance to create secondary incomes, research/college (medschool), hobbies like content creation and more. It was not easy and if I could do it again I would, this was a great experience. It helped me learn to budget, teach me about more job opportunities, and not only how to build the hardware but things I can also use it for. Technology will be the future, and I look forward to grow with it. I know this is not the end, and I am glad. Thank you for the chance to help me grow!