When you scan the room, full of high school teenagers, at an E-League E-Sports match you will notice several things. You notice socially awkward, shy, not your “popular” students cheering each other on and most of all….smiling. You don’t notice division, race, or even gender. The video gaming environment allows us to find our people, ones who may not look like me but have the same interests, sense of humor, and compassion. Our people don’t judge us by our clothes, social status, or how many parties we are invited to after the football game on Friday night. The gaming community encourages teamwork, cooperation, and positive social interactions. Everyone is invited and everyone can find a place. Game Design, virtual reality, and Simulation are skills that are being used more and more in the world around us. We find them on social media, programs for school and so much more. From training surgeons, and astronauts, to studying car crash safety at Virginia Tech. I will use my education to make my mark in this industry and merge my long-time passion for space by designing training simulations. Utilizing Virtual Reality and AI will bring space to Earth. This allows future astronauts to train safely here on Earth for missions that require technical skills, maintenance, or planet exploration. Virtual Reality simulation allows astronauts to be immersed in the environment in space while using complex robots and equipment to complete tasks that are critical to the success of a mission. I can also use my education and skills to design robotic systems In my time outside of work, I want to give back to the world which gave me the confidence to go for what I want in life. I want to start, continue, or mentor a High School E League program at a local school. To create an inclusive environment and show students (and parents) that healthy gaming habits can have a positive impact on their player's lives. I can help them not only play and compete in the E Sports arena but peak into the world of designing a game from the ground up. To start from a basic concept to building backgrounds and character movement. Also foster a team atmosphere, sportsmanship, and inclusive environment that can serve as a place for every student, no matter their gaming background, to be seen and heard. As a Video Game Design and Developer, I can pass on my knowledge, passion, and skill to the next generation.

My future self would be helping astronauts train for space exploration using Virtual Reality simulation.