Dear Professor von Uhl:

My name is Tohidul Islam and I am currently majoring in computer science. The decision to major in this field was an easy one, as I had been subjected to programming all throughout high school. During that time, I developed an appreciation for the subject and how versatile it was; the idea that coding could be used to program something simple like a game of chess to something much more complex such as an operating system enthralled me. As a result, I am pursuing knowledge in programming to sate my long-term goal of becoming part of a major programming team.

As I currently stand, becoming a part of any programming team is a pipe dream; however, I have set myself several short-term goals to help make this dream a reality. The first and most important short-term goal is to get into any computer programming-related internship. This would both give me real world experience as well as help to bolster my resume. While working towards this goal, I hope to discover new aspects of programming that I enjoy and can use towards narrowing down my long-term goal to something more specific.

The second short-term goal that I have set for myself is to focus on performing the best I can in the courses I take and taking the time to learn anything that I do not understand. While this may seem redundant, it is surprising how often one can forget that learning, and not just memorizing, the material is a big part of achieving the end career goal. By setting this goal, I am constantly reminding myself that what I am doing now is just as important as what I hope to do in the future.

The last short-term goal that I have currently set for myself is to build connections with people in the field. While having experience and understanding the subject are very important factors in securing a job, networking is also a major factor in landing a job near graduation. To achieve this, I am attending all computer-science related events on campus in hopes of meeting new people.

Programming will play a big part in the future; as technology continues to advance, the need for good computer scientists to create the necessary software will grow. I plan on helping to develop programs for any new technological advancement that might improve the quality of life for people such as a program that has a machine detect and sort out recyclable materials from the various landfills or a program that can allow amputees to control mechanical arms through electrical impulses or muscle contractions and retractions. While I am not entirely sure what that new technological advancement will be, I know that in order to reach my dream of being a good programmer, I need to start with my short-term goals and slowly make my way from there. Hopefully, by doing this, one day I will be able to help others through the work that I do.

Sincerely,

Tohidul Islam

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