Tech is all the rage and these students are on their way to becoming total pros in the industry. Here we highlight some of Shanghai's most tech-obsessed students to find out what it is they love so much about the subject.
What area of the technology field do you concentrate on?
Software development and modeling as I’m interested in linking together and applying math into technology. This is probably the main reason why I am interested in object-oriented programming – these programming languages can really allow the user to build up a fairly realistic model on the real world scenarios and applications. Modeling has been one of my strongest interests since I was very young, so in a sense my work in technology is an extension of my hobby of modeling scenarios.
What do you love most about technology?
I like the range of its application and the potential for development of technology in almost every profession. Today, no matter what job you apply for, having a certain degree of technological knowledge is always important.
So break it down – what is it that you actually do with programs?
Unlike the click-and-drag interface that most people are used to, every action within the program needs to be typed up by hand. So most of the time I’m just typing up the code for the program, following a flowchart detailing the overarching design of the program. From time to time, I will execute segments of the program to test that it is working like it is supposed to. If it is not working, then I will retrace my code and ‘debug,’ fixing the errors within the program. Though sometimes tedious, the sense of satisfaction at the end when you execute a perfectly working program is worth all the work.
Have you ever programmed anything new yourself?
All the time! Most of my programs are really just inspired from my own experiences and/or struggles. One of my most successful programs was a ‘bibliography generator,’ designed about a year ago, which prints out information in an MLA Bibliography format.
What are your favorite technology products?
The 3D printer is probably my favorite technology product. It is an incredibly powerful modeling tool, since it serves as a bridge between code and actual real-life objects.
Would you like to pursue a career in technology in the future? Why or why not?
Definitely. I really want to try and carry on the entrepreneurial spirit, carrying on the essence of curiosity in computer science. I believe that a career in technology will be the best path for me, allowing me to challenge both myself and existing technological limitations. In other words, perhaps my dream job doesn’t exist yet!
How do you think an interest in technology is viewed by most students?
Perhaps five or 10 years back, anyone with a remote interest in technology and computer science would be automatically attributed as a nerd or geek. However, today, with such a massive explosion in technology in everyday life, interest in technology in my opinion has become the norm rather than the exception. Technology has become a new form of social interaction for students, almost like an independent language such as English or Mandarin.
What does the future hold?
I think that technological development is definitely something that we need to look out for in the next few years. Programming is the next universal “toolbox” in our society. Just like playing the piano or writing an essay, programming is a skill that can only be mastered through the dedication of time. It is a skill that our generation truly needs to master.
Jay is in Year 10 at Dulwich College Shanghai.
