When I was five years old I marched into my father’s study and announced “When I grow up I’m going to be Bill Nye the Science Guy!”  Though I have yet to be solicited to host my own TV show, I like to think that I turned out quite a bit like my childhood idol. I have made it my mission to share my scientific knowledge with the world by designing and building technologies that directly improve the quality of people’s everyday lives. I also happen to act and dance on the side, so if you are scouting for the next Bill Nye to compete in Dancing with the Stars, be sure to remember my name.

In regards to my professional goals, I stumbled upon the department of Human Centered Design and Engineering during my second quarter at the University of Washington. Originally admitted to the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, I was quickly captivated by the many doors that HCDE offered to open. The HCDE curriculum allowed me to pursue philosophy and other humanities classes, which I value as a part of a well-rounded education. It also promised to provide me with the skills in user research, user experience, project management and programing that have become so applicable in our technology driven society.

As someone deeply passionate about inclusion and disability advocacy, this new educational track was an opportunity to connect multiple areas of my life. I made the switch to HCDE and, with me, I brought the expansive perspective that results from growing up with a disabled older brother. In turn, I feel that my personal experiences have especially prepared me for a future in product design and user experience. Whenever I approach a design problem, I prioritize perspectives that are often forgotten or overlooked by the general public. For example, when I analyze the user interface on a modern microwave, I may find it extremely effective for my own purposes. However, not everyone has the same set of needs. The buttons on most microwaves are built flat into the surface of the device, so a blind user who requires tactile feedback would be unable to navigate the control panel. In this light, I maintain that integrating tactile and audio feedback into everyday products would greatly extend the range of usability for not only blind users, but also the elderly and vision impaired. Accordingly, I am excited by the prospect of running and conducting usability research in order to discern how technology can be utilized to satisfy the full range of human needs, especially with consideration to the disabled community. I am confident that, when I graduate with my masters in HCDE or HCI, I will have the technical and commutative skill required to flourish in the workplace, as well as the drive and inspiration needed to lead a long and happy life.