I have changed my major a few different times, but recently I have found
my interest in computer science and software engineering. I was first inspired by
video games to pursue a game designer career, but from then decided to use
software and programming to help people and to help better the world.
Technology continues to prosper, and I wish to be included in it. Having minimal
to no experience in the computer science field, I have always pondered about
what it takes to be a software engineer. Interviewing professors at Ritsumeikan
University could definitely help me grasp an idea in the area. Even though I have
no experience taking computer science courses, it was definitely beneficial to
hear what the computer science professors had to say about the subject. I was
able to receive answers from three different computer science professors, and all
of them had different responses. However, it seems as though all three of the
professors I interviewed love to research, and that is why they became a
professor. I do not have an interest in the education field, but I still enjoy reading
articles about upcoming technology. It seems as though America has been more
focused on space research, with NASA detecting more planets, but Japan has
always had their attention on robots. Japan and America may differ when it
comes to mobile phones and graduate school, but when it comes down to it, it is
the same when it comes down to the fact that Computer Science is important for
the world. Japan may be known for high-end technology, with their ever-growing
development of robots, but a question I have been asked, and have wondered
myself, Even though their technology is amazing, why does Japan still use flip
phones? Simply from what I have seen and heard, flip phones lasted much
longer than other advanced nations. An article in TechInAsia mentions that in
2015, just 48.9% of the 106 million mobile user population were on smartphones,
and the rest were on Japanese branded flip phones. By 2016, that percentage
raised to 52.4%. The question is, why? Why is the change from flip phones to
smartphones so gradual, while the change in America was exponential?
TechInAsia also says that the Japanese flip phones have been kept elaborate-
which did things your old Nokia never did, such as mobile payments in stores
(Freischlad, 2016). Since the flip phones are so unique, someone coined the
term Galapagos syndrome to explain how the phone industry evolved so
differently than other countries before smartphones. In Japanese, flip phones
earned the nickname gara-kei or Galapagos phones. Gara-kei comes from the
words Galapagos, and Keitai, which is the Japanese word for mobile phone.
College education in America versus the rest of the world is slightly different.
In America, we have community colleges, but most of the rest of the world do
not. During my stay in the International Dormitory in Kyoto, I made a few different
friends who are from Ireland and England. They consistently referred to
university as uni, which is something I personally have not heard within the
United States. My classmates and I explained what community college was, and
they were confused at the beginning. Even Japan has no community college. I also learned that entrance exams for high school in Japan are crucial, and you
can move on to university. Being accepted to a good university can determine
your career status. That being said, Professor Shigeru Yamashita's opinion was
that Japanese university is easier than the United States. Since most students do
more research, lecture isnt as difficult in graduate school. For undergraduates,
there are more lectures, and the students are focused on passing examinations. I
wish to achieve a Masters or maybe even Doctorates degree, so hearing this
about Japan universities was interesting, even though graduate school is
supposedly more difficult in America. Professor Yamashita also advised me to
stay motivated, as it is important to decide a major, and for them to become
successful. When I asked Professor Katsuhisa Maruyama the same question
about what graduate school was like, he responded in saying he was strongly
engaged in research study on software engineering. For a student to become
better, he suggested to touch on as many as high-level research studies as
possible. Professor Kyouji Kawagoe had a similar response, saying that the
student must be able to problem solve by themselves, as no one else can think
for them. I am determined to take their thoughts into account when I continue my
college education, no matter where I am attending.
My intention for studying computer science/software engineering is to help
build technology that will help people, and to help save the world. I have big,
slightly unrealistic dreams for a 20-year-old, but I am committed to making it
happen. I was scrolling through Facebook one day when I came across an
inspiring video of a software engineer who created technology to help a woman
with Parkinsons disease. With the use of this technology, she was able to write
her name and start drawing again, which brought happy tears to her face. Not
only did this inspire me, but also a man who records video games on YouTube
for a living ignited a fire in me to help people more. He does a charity liv stream
every month, which means that once a month, he will record him and his friends
playing video games on live, and his viewers can donate to a charity and a cause
they are doing it for. He will also put thousands of dollars into the cause. He
makes people smile with his humor and videos, and he goes a step beyond to be
so selfless. All of these little things add up to brighten peoples days. Together
we make a whole species, but even to this day, we fight amongst ourselves. If I
can make my technology practical and help people live better or happier lives,
then my goal will be accomplished. Computer science can help me achieve those
dreams.
My initial thought was to pursue a video game designer career, but I still
want to be able to enjoy the hobby without criticizing it since it could have been
my job to do so. After years of being selfish and not really caring about the rest of
the world, I made friends and saw things online that gave me a drive to contribute
to society. All I ever really wanted was to stand out, make a point, and leave a
positive impact on someone or something. I questioned all three professors,
Why is computer science important for the future? and got varied answers.
Professor Yamashita simply said that it is important to develop software for
society. I think he had a similar idea in mind to mine, since technology continues
to grow and we depend on it. Professor Kyouji Kawagoe saw the advancement of technology, and stated that technology changed the world within the past 10
years. Perhaps, in another 10 years, the world will also be different. He even
suggested the concept nanotech or nanobots being inserted into blood to
communicate with the brain in 20 years. The only time I ever really thought about
nanobots was in the movie G.I. Joe, but when the professor mentioned this, it
really had me thinking about the possibility and it coming to reality. Professor
Maruyama had a different take-he was not sure that it was entirely important,
because what he does is research. He said, Research fields are very flexible
and tangled. As crucial as research is, I believe that the development of
technology and software is just as, or even more, important.
Some of the most helpful careers include nursing and teaching, both of
which I do not have an interest in. Thankfully, computer science plays a huge
role in society. Rasmussen College has an article that lists ways computer
science benefits society, including:
1. Solving problems and improving solutions
a. An example that is mentioned is Uber and Airbnb-softwares that
have revolutionized service industries that many never even
questioned. This software has made our daily lives easier to
manage.
2. Protecting people and organizations
a. I am considering a cyber security job, since any company needs
assistance with securing their digital data. A friend of a friend of
mine has a government security job, and usually his work is
classified. He ultimately helps save countless lives by making
sure the digital footprint of something is safe.
3. Furthering education
a. I definitely would have had a strenuous time researching these
facts if it was not for the Internet.
4. Improving communication
a. Even this article mentions going back to landline phone calls,
and snail-mail correspondence if it werent for online
communication. Social networking has exploded since the last
10 years, making our lives convenient as well as fun.
5. Organizing and streamlining philanthropy
a. As I mentioned earlier, one of the YouTubers I watch, named
Markiplier, plays video games for a living. He uses computer
science to live stream and help people help give back to society.
He does most of this within the walls of his own home, and with
help of a few friends. Not only has he given back to others, but
also there were tweets of celebrity Nicki Minaj paying off
thousands of her fans student loans and tuition. Students would
message or tweet her, and she would reply back, saying she will
pay it off for them. Even though money is a tangible concept, it
is crucial to have to move forward in life, and one day, I will be
able to help those in need to pay off their debts.
6. Positively impacting every area of society
a. Word of mouth definitely creates an impact in how others
perceive things, but even spreading information through social
networking can make a difference. I have seen countless videos
and tips of Life Hacks, and new ideas for inventions from
everyday people, and it brings me such joy to see people trying
to help each other; there is so much hate in the world so we
need to work together. (Ruesink, 2015)
I am still unsure with which company I may want to work for, but according
to Computer Science Degree Hub, CSC (Computer Science Corporation)
provides the most computer science careers globally. Careers include IT
contracting, management, and outsourcing services for companies in various
industries. It is a decent option, and they offer many opportunities. When I
interviewed Professor Shigeru Yamashita, he informed me that getting a job in
software engineering is easy nowadays, and there are lots of job opportunities.
Professor Yamashita also mentioned that even if you dont have computer
science education, you can still get a job, but it is better to have some sort of
background in the field. Interviewing the three professors helped me gain some
knowledge in the field and their teaching career, and after their insight, I am
better prepared for my pathway to continue to graduate school and onto my own
employment. I will learn as much as possible in order to give back to society.
iPhone
Works Cited
Computer Science Degree Hub. (2017). Retrieved from
