First semester ended as quickly as it started. From a sweltering August to frigid December, the college experience has been mostly enjoyable.

Some highlights of first semester:

• Getting awarded the Fifty for the Future award by the Illinois Technology Foundation, and becoming the IIT representative for the Student Technology Club
• Becoming webmaster for the Illinois Inst. of Tech. student branch of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Launching Weekend Hackers Chicago, a meetup group for students interested in tech careers
• Some interesting employment that I cannot disclose

As far as academics goes, I ended first semester with a 3.4 GPA, which is not bad, but obviously it is <4.0 so it could be improved. Next semester I am taking the following classes:

• BUS 221 - Analytics for Informed Decision Making
• EG 225 - Engineering Graphics for Non-Engineers
• ITM 100 -...

As a recent Chicago Public Schools (CPS) graduate, I was thrilled to hear the news that as a result of a partnership between Code.org and CPS, a new K-12 Computer Science program is being brought to CPS elementary and high schools.

About the program:

The K-12 program will expand student access to computer science literacy over the next five years. The program will include:

• In the next three years, every high school will offer a foundational “Exploring Computer Science” course.
• In the next five years, at least half of all high schools will also offer an AP Computer Science course.
• Chicago will also be the first US urban district to offer a K-8 computer science pathway, reaching one in four elementary schools in the next five years.
• Within five years, CPS will allow computer science to count as a graduation requirement (e.g. possibly as a math, science, or foreign language credit)...

To read the preface, click here.

For many months my motivation has wavered, unsure of whether to pursue fruitless goals. I had lost the creative touch that my childhood was filled with. Today I am more determined and motivated than ever. I am proud to announce the launch of a new student group, a club for students interested in tech. I firmly believe that this will lead to many great friendships, experiences, and possibly businesses.

I have not thought of a name for this yet, so I will refer to it as Student Tech Explorers. We keep our Saturdays sacred.

The Plan

• We go to a central meeting place (cafe, library, etc).
• We work on whatever interests us, whether it’s designing a new website, coding a cool mobile app, blogging, or just learning a new programming language. You can work alone or find someone to work with you.
• We get to know and learn from each other. Discuss methodology...

As of the time I am writing this post, I am 18.28 years old. I have been using a computer for at least ten years now. I have been programming for at least six years. There are obviously many factors that have contributed to my knowledge of technology, but the one that has stuck with me the most is my desire to experiment with something new. It can be summed up in a sentence: Never stop exploring.

Ever since I can remember, I have been exploring the world around me, conducting experiments to try and understand it. These experiments are not the ones you see in scientific journals or at school. My experiments were for fun, for curiosity’s sake. One day I would take apart a radio, another I would tape up our carpet to create roads for my toy cars (some marks are still visible). I could not focus on one project, I needed many of them. Immediately after I had become satisfied with my work, I...

Every book you’ve ever read is just a different combination of 26 letters.
Every blog post you’ve ever read, every gif frame, every video frame, every single thing you’ve done on your computer is just a combination of 2 digits. 1 and 0.


How can a machine based on on’s and off’s change the world? That is why I study computer science.

It is with this sentiment that I start my studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology (majoring in Information Technology and Management, a.k.a. CS with a business focus). Classes began just over a month ago, and have been going relatively smoothly.

My Classes

• BUS210, Financial and Managerial Accounting
• HUM106, Life Stories
• ITM301, Intro to Contemporary Operating Systems and Hardware I
• ITM312, Intro to Systems Software Programming
• PSYC301, Industrial Psychology

Least workload? PSYC301. Most fun? HUM106.

Getting Started

The beginning of my...

This summer, in addition to working on revamping YSFlight Headquarters and taking Startup Engineering via Coursera, I took on the challenge of interning at the Information & Technology Services (ITS) department within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Having taken an Oracle Database Design class and participated in CPS’s Career and Technical Education program, I was offered a chance to work with the CPS Oracle team. As I have always wondered what technology powered the third-largest school district in the country, I jumped on the opportunity.

The first day of the internship was a warm and sunny July day. Sitting in the air-conditioned CPS Central Office in downtown Chicago, the team of interns listened to various presentations on the organizational structure of CPS, the roles of different teams in ITS, and eventually got a tour of the building. At the end of the day, we were given team...

Link: 99% Invisible: Episode 86- Reversal of Fortune

Absolutely genius. I love this city.

99percentinvisible:

I fell in love with architecture on the Chicago River. It provides a beautiful vantage point to take in all the marvelous skyscrapers. Unlike other cities that cram you on the sidewalk between looming towers.

The Chicago River pushes buildings apart, giving you the opportunity to…

Link: I’m 18. So what? My advice for a younger self

The following excerpt is from Jared Erondu’s “You’re Young. I’m 18. So what”.

Today’s my 18th birthday.

I’ve contemplated keeping my age a secret until I was old enough to buy someone a drink. Or at least until my age didn’t end with “teen.” That way, people would “take me seriously.” But I’ve gotten over it.

It really amazes me how much the world focuses on one’s age and degree(s). Even more so than skill and personality, the most important factors. But today, for my birthday, I’ll try to debunk the silly notion of age > skill. I’ll tell you a little story about me, who helped me grow as a writer, designer and leader, and my advice to young creatives.

Today is my 18th birthday. Just like Jared, I don’t think age should be used to judge a person. Far too often I’ve seen fantastic young designers and engineers that are afraid to go...

Well it’s summer again. As of the official beginning of summer, June 21st, I have started work on my summer plans/projects. It’s a lot. Those plans are as follows.

Mind and Body

• Coursera Startup Engineering Course - In the fall of last year, I started reading a reddit-like news aggregator called Hacker News. Through this, I was able to find out about an online course offered by Coursera called Startup Engineering. It started on the day I graduated, June 17th. By taking the course, I expect to learn a lot more about startups and what software engineering practices are used to build them. Of course, a startup also has a business side, so that should be interesting to learn as well.
• Blogging - As mentioned in my last post, I hope to do some more writing on this blog in the future, such as updating my progress on all these endeavors.
• Swimming - Since I can’t stay on the computer...

To the students of Northside College Preparatory High School.

Dear Northside Students,

I have been incredibly fortunate to serve as this year’s webmaster and Student Technology Coordinator of Northside College Prep. Being able to learn alongside and even learn from some of you has shown me just how special the student body here is. I have had the pleasure of being on the swim team, robotics team, as well as a number of clubs throughout my four years here. I saw just how talented the student body is, whether it be artists, debaters, musicians, divers or runners. I have gained unparalleled knowledge from working here, having been able to create and manage a few of the innovations and improvements for the school. While my time at Northside has consisted of many sleepless nights and times of great stress, the work I have contributed has been incredibly rewarding. I should also mention it...