Growing Through the Process

This week felt really productive because I made progress across multiple classes and projects. In CST 300, I completed my industry analysis essay, which gave me the opportunity to research the software industry more deeply and think about where I see myself fitting into it after graduation. I also chose my topic for the ethics essay, which focuses on whether companies should pay ransomware demands after cyberattacks. I thought it was an interesting topic because there are strong arguments on both sides, especially when balancing business recovery, customer privacy, and the ethical implications of encouraging cybercrime.

In CST 349, my team and I analyzed the courses in our program and discussed how each one connects to our long term goal of becoming employed software engineers. It was interesting to step back and look at the degree as a whole instead of just focusing on individual assignments week by week. Some courses seem directly tied to technical skills like programming and software development, while others help build communication, teamwork, and problem solving skills that are also important in the industry. Working on this assignment reminded me that becoming a successful software engineer is not just about learning how to code, but also about developing the professional and collaborative skills needed to work effectively on a team.