Academics and the Arts with Ian

Transcript

Let’s meet Ian, a senior from West Haven, Connecticut, majoring in computer science with minors in math and studio art. Ian’s journey at Eastern has led him to explore game design, computer applications, and even environmental research. Ian, take it away.

– Thanks, Alex, and what’s going on, everyone? When I was first admitted to Eastern Connecticut State University, my major was studio art, and my goal was to learn the fundamentals of art and design in order to become a game developer. My drawing professor gave me the unique opportunity to showcase several pieces of my art, amounting to dozens of hours of work. Midway through my sophomore year, I switched my major to computer science, where I learned programming, data structures, algorithms, computer architecture, and software engineering. It opened up a whole new world to me beyond game development. Having a background in the arts allowed me to pursue my dream of starting a company where I visually design and program an application that I hope will improve the education system. Currently, I’m wrapping up my honors thesis where I’m researching the environmental impact of video gaming technologies. I’m a first-generation honors scholar, and I paired my computer science major with minors in mathematics and studio art. In all of these courses, I feel like the faculty truly cares. Eastern is where I feel like I belong and I’m heard. I also work on campus as a computer science tutor. Although I’m a tutor, I constantly find myself in the Academic Success Center receiving math tutoring as I go into my more advanced math classes. It’s really amazing how Eastern invests in students doing well by providing tutoring help around the clock in study skills, writing assistance, and mathematics. All the lessons I’ve learned at Eastern will help me to thrive in my career and transition to entrepreneurship as I build my professional and technical skills. Wherever I go, I will take the supportive culture I experienced at Eastern with me. It’s all yours, Alex.

– And we are so glad to hear how Eastern supported you in switching majors. It sounds like you made the right choice. We hope as you use your programming skills to help others, you still have time to pursue your interest in art. You are truly a renaissance man. Thanks again.