Extra Blog: alert("Hello world!");

This past month, I have worked with my mentor in learning the structure of LA County's Internal Services Department (ISD), the Financial Reporting System (FRS), and learning how to program in JavaScript. Learning about these things gives me assurance that it was a good decision for me to choose Computer Programming as my senior topic. I found that the work I did and the subjects I will, and have already, start studying are very interesting. I've always enjoyed using computers, applying logical thinking, and creating things that work, so there couldn't be a better choice than Computer Programming. 

Below are some pictures that represent what I have done so far.

The ISD Logo.

The book my mentor goes over with me to show me how to program in JavaScript.

As with learning any other language, I displayed a message saying the iconic "Hello world!" with the code:

alert("Hello world");

My current working EQ is "How can an individual become a successful computer programmer in the 21st century?" Through my research these past weeks and from my study of JavaScript, I have come up with several answers that I think approaches the best answer for my working EQ. The following are my current, possible answers:

• Having the end-goal in mind during programming
• Continually learning new skills/knowledge as technology changes
• Good communication/responsibility with those who work with you
• Have good code design/structure
• Dedication to learn/practice coding over a large period of time
• Enjoy Computer Programming 

At the moment, I feel that the answer, "Continually learning new skills/knowledge as technology changes," is the most reasonable and strongest answer out of the ones I have made so far. This is because my mentor is constantly,and thoroughly, learn new programming languages and apply them in the workplace. She said that being in the field of work is a "Life-time learning experience" and that one would need to study out side of the regular 8 hour work day. Companies and organizations, such as the Justice Service within the ISD that my mentor works in, who are based around the work of programmers often send their employees to classes to learn a variety of new subjects such as working efficiently or how to operate under a certain kind of system. In addition to classes, countless amounts of new programming books and internet articles are constantly being published with the specifics of the latest versions of programming languages and many instant messaging boards are constantly exchanging help to those have problems. Also, many times in programming, one can even copy and modify a program that someone else had made. This become a learning experience in itself of new information. 

TL;DR

This explanation can be summed up with something Clint Shank, a writer of technological subjects, once said:

"Technology changes fast. Don't get left behind."

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  Why?

Alan Wu

Has a wide variety of knowledge in science, engineering, and computing and has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems. Knows co-workers who come from technological backgrounds.

2.  You have to ask 5 questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask?  

• From your past experience, how should I approach Computer Programming in order to achieve mastery of this topic?

• What are some ways I can apply the knowledge of Computer Programming in the real world?

• There are numerous aspects of programming such as knowing syntax, having logical thinking, and keeping things in certain organizing formats. How might I go about learning all of these specific details of programming that may not be taught though books or internet articles?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1.  List your topic here: 

Computer Programming

2.  Write a question that helps to focus your research this month.

How can a person become a successful computer programmer in the 21st century?

3.  Post the working bibliography (WB) on the right hand side of the blog and share it so anybody can view it.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gbpYaCiCrApm52MtwhHtHRA--ZTPvj4OTNjefpiYfuU/edit#gid=0

Summer Mentorship Component

1. (Know) Using google doc (drive) link a log of specific hours and a description of your duties:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pk06m750zrh1IsLXwaHWU21neVqb5LkzlIeC5KYTGr0/edit#gid=0

2. What is the contact name & number of where you volunteered?

• Contact Name: Lily Wu (Senior Application Developer)
• Number: (909)-241-3771

3. (Need to know) What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?  List them.

• How does one determine the steps needed to be taken and in what order before starting a project that use the Project Management Methodology (PMM)?
• In what way can a programmer use code to accurately meet a customer's requests?
• Are they any specific guidelines or formats one must put their code in?
• What is the most efficient way to train and inform a new employee about how everything works within the system?

4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?.

The most important things I got from this experience were obtaining the general knowledge of the type of work I am getting into and learning the mindset one must have in order to fully succeed in the programming world. The general knowledge I received is important because it helps to show me what to expect in the following year and helps me to prepare myself for the work I will be doing. Learning these during the 10 hours of mentorship has allowed me to also gain the type mindset I must have to prepare myself mentally for what is to come. I learned that the those who succeed in the programming field of work must pay close attention to all details, no matter how small, within the assignments and projects they do. Therefore, in order to truly benefit and learn from this mentorship, I have given myself a similar mindset and will approach the upcoming ideas and concepts from a detail-oriented perspective.

5. What is your senior project topic going to be?  How did what you did help you choose a topic?  Please explain.

The topic that I will be using for my senior project will be Computer Programming. 

The 10 hours I have completed with my mentor helped me to further solidify my previous choice of Computer Programming as my Senior Project topic because, not only was the 10 hours interesting and fun, but I also feel that this topic will help me in my future studies as I am planning on majoring in Computer Science and planning to have career related to computer programming.

Blog 1: 2-Hour Presentations

1. What presentations did you see?

The following is a list and a brief description of the senior projects I saw over the past 2 weeks:

05/21/14 - Block 1 

Lupe Lara, Music Performing and Promoting:

- Concentrated on the best way to engage an audience during a performance
- Went into detail of singing techniques, voice tones, and overall performing tips

05/21/14 - Block 2 

Krystal Lam, Editorial Publishing:

- Explored the different ways of making a quality yearbook that can incorporate design and content with the overall feel of the school
- Described general design, photography, and teaching techniques and how they are used in yearbooks everywhere

05/21/14 - Block 3

Viviana Bravo, Photography Galleries:

- Went over the best possible way to bring viewers to an art gallery during an event. 
- Showed what is done with the art is played and how to get the word out of the gallery to the general public.

05/22/14 - Block 1 

Carlos Cerrillos, Information Technology:

- Focused on using technology to market real estate companies
- Taught how technology is used, what it can provide to a company, and how to integrate it into marketing

05/22/14 - Block 2 

Patrick Montoya, Video Game Graphic Design:

- About the box art of video game and how to get gamers to buy their product  from their boxes alone
- Went over the demographics and design of games box art

05/22/14 - Block 3 

Brian Cabantug, Software Development:

- Presentation was on the use of different codes used to code mobile applications and explored which ones were the best one
- Displayed different codes such as HTML5, Java, and Command C

05/23/14 - Block 1 

Study Hall, Mr. Hedman's Classroom No Presentation:

05/23/14 - Block 3 

Bradley Schott, Computer Science:

- Presented on making mobile applications and what to do to get the application to be used
- Taught about elements that should be included to provide the most enjoyment and most usability for uses of an applications

05/27/14 - Block 1 

Angel Arredondo, Angioplasty:

- I was not present for this presentation

05/27/14 - Block 2 

Isaac Salas, Engineering:

- Was about traffic and how engineering can be use to help relieve road congestion
- Gave information about different road aspects and different kinds of transportation other than automobiles that are used elsewhere

05/28/14 - Block 1 

Daniel Gamboa, Electrical Engineering:

- Talked about what is most important when repairing and dealing with power lines
- Identified what things are safety hazards and how to spot them

05/28/14 - Block 2 

Vanessa Pacheco, Marketing Management:

- Explored the best way to market a product or service to consumers
- Identified marketing terms in competition and what companies can and should do to make their product stand out.

05/28/14 - Block 3 

Brandon Beghtol, Information Technology:

- Showed how databases worked and how to support small businesses with technical support
- Taught the general needs and interests of small businesses and how to set up technology to support them

05/29/14 - Block 1 

Alfonso Esquivel, Internal Medicine:

- Dealt with the symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease and the best ways to cure them
- Showed how nutrition and surgery methods can be used to cure a person who has this disease

05/29/14 - Block 2 

Lionel Arellano, Computer Technical Services:

- Described the symptoms of damaged computes and how to fix them
- Gave information on the source of viruses and how to see computer symptoms and identify what type of issue it has

05/29/14 - Block 3 

Wesley Wu, Structural Engineering:

- Talked about what is most important in created  a stable structure
- Went over drawing schematics and the different types of structural supports 

2. What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.

A question I have about the senior project is how many independent components are required and how to make a legitimate, independent component for us to do. In addition, if we were to make a component ourselves, how would we be graded on them since everyone's would be different in both difficulty and in relevance toward their topic.

In addition to independent component grades, my other question is how much impact our senior presentation grades will be on our overall grade for the year. I have heard that the senior presentation grade can possibly dictate what grade we will receive in all the other classes, but I want to confirm exactly how that works.

3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?

The most important part about the senior project that I got from the presentations is to have an understanding of one's own topic to become essentially an expert in that field. Once this is achieved, it is almost like becoming like a mentor for the time span of the senior presentation. With understanding of the topic, which can be obtained through application of the information or doing in depth studies of the topic, one would be able to relay the information in an way that not only makes sense to the audience, but also in the way that the person's mentor had taught them as well. 

Understanding is the most important part of the senior presentation because understanding of the information gathered throughout the year is basically the foundation of the any project, especially for the senior project. Without understanding, it is highly unlikely that the person learned from the experience. Therefore, if one has a strong understanding of the acquired information throughout the year, their senior presentation at the end of the year will also be strong.

4. What topic are you considering doing and why?

The topic I am considering for my senior project is Computer Programming. The reason for this is because I plan on majoring in computer science when I get into college and I plan on working in a technological based field much like my parents who have careers in Computer System Analysis and Engineering. I feel that working on Computer Programming will help to prepare me not only for college, but for my future career as well. 

5. What are you doing for your summer mentorship?

Over the summer, I plan on mentoring with my mom at her workplace where they develop applications and manage databases for the court of the county of Los Angeles. As Computer System Analysts, they work within the court's system to help organize and make the data accessible to those who need court files. This will give me information on how database systems work and how different programming languages are used.