My Interest in Chemical Engineering Degree at The Uchicago

I plan to pursue graduate study to build a stronger and more complete foundation in computer science and its diverse applications. My background is in Chemical Engineering, but I have gained hands-on coding experience and developed an enthusiasm for computer science while working at a medical device company as a Process Engineer. Before writing my Uchicago essay I read some examples of them with the aim to explore few UChicago supplemental essays. They opened me up a world of creative possibilities, encouraging me to showcase my intellectual curiosity, unique perspectives, and unconventional thinking that align perfectly with UChicago's vibrant academic community.

My main responsibility in this job was to develop and test methods to streamline the chemical and data flow processes. However I soon realized that many of the methods used were manual and time consuming. Therefore, I took this opportunity to teach myself how to code in MATLAB so that I could automate these processes. Along with standardization and optimization of data transfer, I made it easier for my coworkers to do their jobs in a fraction of the time. Outside of work, I often coded projects and games to practice programming techniques, such as Blackjack, Hangman, a web scraper to fill an online form, and a data-plotting tool with a GUI to process and visualize data. I also began teaching myself Python in order to expand my repertoire, and planned to learn Java and C++ afterwards.

However, while I have managed to teach myself coding over time through experimentation and trial and error, I want to build upon the foundation that I already have in order to advance in the computer science field. Working toward a graduate degree in Computer Science at the University of Chicago (UChicago) will provide me with the resources to thrive in highly competitive and challenging roles upon graduation, in addition to being in an advantageous environment to further develop and polish my skills among others of similar mindset.

In particular, I am interested in University of Chicago’s program because of the strong emphasis on innovation, and on the professional and practical uses of computer science. I also aim to specialize in Software Engineering at the University of Chicago, as I believe there is a lot of opportunity in the field for growth and advancements in technology. The utility and applicability of Software Engineering to a wide range of functions makes it possible to adapt to the evolving modern technology market. Upon graduation, I plan to join the technology industry or the medical device industry where I can work amongst other motivated people to develop new technology and solve exciting problems to improve lives.

When I chose my undergraduate major, I picked Chemical Engineering because it was challenging. Now that I have more life and career experience, I am ready to go back to school for computer science, something that I’ve come to enjoy. I have a passion for problem solving and innovation, and I would love to be apart of a community that is constantly on the edge of new technology. I believe that my best opportunity for achieving my future career goal of becoming a Software Engineer is with a M.S. in Computer Science with a Software Engineering specialization at the University of Chicago (UChicago), and I am ready to work hard to succeed.