Why Software Engineering Keeps Me Climbing
11 Jun 2025
Building Systems That Work (and Don’t Fall Apart)
My interest in software engineering comes from the joy of building things that are both logical and creative — a place where systems thinking meets real-world problem solving. I’ve always been drawn to interactive projects, whether it’s building a game inventory system in Unity, experimenting with computer vision to read bouldering routes, or creating menu interfaces as a beginner in web development. Over time, I’ve learned that good software isn’t just about writing code — it’s about designing systems that are maintainable, scalable, and built with other people in mind.
Where I’m Going
As I move forward in my CS degree, I’m excited to go deeper into areas like full-stack development, computer vision, and AI. I want to work on projects that not only solve interesting technical problems but also connect to human experiences — like improving accessibility in climbing gyms, building real-time interfaces, or contributing to open-source educational tools. I’m particularly interested in developing skills in systems design, collaborative development with Git, and testing/debugging practices that reduce technical debt from the start.
Software Engineering Is a Process, Not Just a Skillset
One thing I’ve learned from ICS 314 so far is how valuable process is — not just knowing how to code, but how to plan, test, iterate, and deliver. The Workout of the Day format showed me how much I can grow by setting time-boxed goals and learning from my failures. I also appreciate how much communication and clarity matter — whether it’s writing a technical essay, submitting clean commits, or asking smart questions.
What Comes Next
In the future, I hope to contribute to team projects with real users and constraints. Whether it’s through internships, capstone courses, or research, I want to challenge myself by taking on roles where I’m responsible for a part of something bigger. Software engineering feels like a long climb, but it’s the kind of challenge I want to keep pushing myself through — one problem, one pull-up, and one commit at a time.