Intended Area of Focus: Engineering and Technology Management

As an independent web developer for the past six years, I’ve 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.  

I’ve 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, I’ve managed university-wide surveys (including survey design, administration, data input, and analysis) and taken the department web site from start to finish, procuring the resources needed to present a professional final product to the university’s President and the university system’s Board of Trustees.  As President of a 150-plus member online role-playing community, I’ve coordinated 12 different administrative officers to keep the game prospering in an increasingly competitive market.  Within the university, I’ve frequently been called upon to manage extracurricular activities, including the beginning stages of the university’s ACM and IEEE chapters.  When the town community requires web design services, I’ve collaborated with my advisor to listen to the user’s needs and to present a workable solution that can evolve to meet both present and future requirements.

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 help bring all aspects of a project together successfully.