I am currently a sophomore English major with a concentration in Rhetoric and Professional Writing at North Carolina State University. I chose this major because I have had a lifelong interest in English, literature, and philosophy. However, despite my passions for these subjects, I also recognize that they are not exactly profitable endeavors. Thus, I am attempting to fuse my interests in writing with the more economically viable hemisphere of professions: STEM. I consider STEM subjects to be necessary in the modern world, and I am more interested in the written portions of STEM; that is, the aspects of STEM that require documentation, written analysis, and detailed communications oriented both towards professional and public audiences. I hope that in pursuing a major focused in professional writing, I can work in a field that will allow me to remain in the technological sphere while still focusing on my passions and strengths as a writer.
Rhetoric and design interests me because I think it is an essential aspect of how digital media is presented. The advent of technology and digital information has prompted a change in how rhetoric is utilized, as it now applies to information that is accessible by the public on digital networks. This change in rhetorical devices now emphasizes accessibility, convenience, and usability, and I think emphasis on these aspects is necessary for anyone attempting to communicate concepts on digital platforms.
My current career interests include editing and working as a freelance technical writer. Ostensibly, work as a freelance technical writer would allow me to explore emerging technologies at my own pace, and it would also keep me from specializing myself into a corner. Part of the appeal in being a technical writer is the aspect of self education and comprehension of new material, and I hope that by pursuing this career, I will be able to constantly challenge myself with new knowledge and areas of expertise. My main area of focus in terms of technical writing is computer science and software engineering. Computer science is a field that places major emphasis on easily accessible documentation, as effective documentation is often the key for cooperation in projects as well as for clients that may not be familiar with how the software functions. Currently, I am working towards proficiency in coding languages such as Python and Javascript, but I also have interests in translation of documents in Polish and German.
My hobbies are centered primarily around literature and music. My passion for literature manifests itself in my interests of technical writing, but I will always consider the humanities to be superior to anything STEM related when it comes to self-fulfillment. In addition to reading and writing in my spare time, I also play the guitar, bass, and drums, and I am semi-proficient in DAW’s such as Ableton Live. I enjoy a more DIY experimental approach to making music, and I hope to start a coherent music project with some friends soon. My other interests include Polish history and literature, postmodernist literature, and German idealist philosophy.