What First Got Me Interested in Technology

I've always been a curious person; even as a young child I've enjoyed looking at my dad’s desktop computer and being fascinated by mechanical devices. One of my first memories of a computer was watching my dad install a hard drive in his computer. He showed me what the inside of his computer looked like and what the different components do. I also loved to play educational games on my first computer, an old Compaq Presario 7594. Furthermore, I loved going to places like the Crayola Experience in Eaton, PA where you got to learn about how crayons were made and see the manufacturing process.

Above is the Crayola Experience in Pennsylvania!

High School and The First Time I Built a Computer

In 2014 when I was in eighth grade, we were given an assignment, it was to research and find a college major we would want to peruse after we graduate. At the time I had a friend who built his own computer, which intrigued me and he also introduced me to the YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips. I knew at that point I wanted to major in Computer Science or at least work in a major that focused on how computers work. In 2015 I bought my first gaming computer, a small Alienware computer, I upgraded it with an SSD (Solid State Drive) and learned how to reinstall Windows 10 on it. Then in 2017, I built my first custom gaming computer. It had a Core i5, 8GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GTX 1060, a 250GB SSD, and a 1TB hard drive. Building a computer taught me about different CPU chipsets, how to balance price and performance of a computer, and how to install new computer hardware.

Above is what my first gaming PC looked like, it was an Alienware Alpha R2.

Why I still love Technology

Technology is always evolving; I love being able to use the latest technology and see how it can help people. It's better to learn how something new works, then to fear it. I also love being able to use old technology, like old copies of Microsoft Windows and Ubuntu, or learn about old computers in museums. It puts into perspective how much technology has changed within the past twenty to thirty years. Furthermore, since working in retail requires me to assist people and be a good problem solver, I can assist people with their devices, see what ways technology is helping consumers shop better, and use technology to benefit me in my job.