My journey into tech started in a small apartment where the Wi-Fi barely worked and one shared computer had to be enough for a whole family. I’m the son of Somali immigrants, and growing up, I saw how hard my mom worked just so we could have a shot at something better. We didn’t have much, but we made it work. That background made me curious about how technology could make life easier for families like mine. When I got to college at the University of Minnesota, I knew I wanted to study something where I could build systems that helped people, not just make money or work behind the scenes. That’s why I’m majoring in Information Technology Infrastructure and Computer Science. Tech, to me, isn’t just about writing code. It’s about solving real problems in the real world. One of the most meaningful projects I worked on was during a campus hackathon. My team built an app called “SOT” The idea came from something I’ve personally struggled with getting access to laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, or just basic tech support as a student. We wanted to create a tool that helped students find free or low-cost tech help around campus and in the city. Whether it was a repair event, a library hotspot, or a tech-sharing program, the app would guide students to it. I worked on the backend, which meant setting up the database, handling user authentication, and making sure the information flowed smoothly. It was the first time I’d ever worked on a full project from start to finish. We stayed up late debugging errors, learning how to use Firebase, and collaborating with people who had different skills. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real and it was ours. What made this project so important to me was the fact that I was solving a problem I understood deeply. I’ve had to borrow laptops, ask professors for extra time when my tech failed, and search all over campus for basic resources. Creating something that could take that burden off someone else felt powerful. I didn’t feel like “just a student learning to code.” I felt like a builder using tech to help others. Technology inspires me because it’s one of the only tools that can level the playing field. It doesn’t care where you’re from, how much money your family has, or what your background is if you can learn, you can build. I want to keep building. I want to use tech to support education, healthcare, and community projects. My long-term goal is to work in network infrastructure, building systems that make sure people and communities stay connected, especially in under-resourced areas. The Chadwick D. McNab Memorial Scholarship would help me keep pushing forward. I’m paying for college mostly on my own while working part-time, and every bit of support helps me stay focused on school and projects that actually matter. Like Chadwick, I want to use tech to lift people up. I want to create tools that help others reach their full potential, just like I’m trying to reach mine.