An algorithm is almost like a recipe. It's a set of instructions that gets you from Point A to Point B, with the former being an input and the latter being an output, hopefully the desired one. As such, life is full of algorithms. There's an "algorithm" for creating the fluffiest rice in a rice cooker, or, by its strict definition, an algorithm for solving complex math problems that hadn't been solved for hundreds of years past because centuries ago there was no computer automation. Intentionally or not, everyone does the work of a Computer Scientist to some degree. They are constantly solving problems, be it in their personal lives or a workplace. There's bugs, or errors, everywhere that need to be addressed, regardless of whether it's clerical or digital. I've always considered myself to a problem solver first, working with my parents to get job applications finished, finishing the Federal Student Aid form for my brother, and most recently, working as a Digital Literacy Volunteer to solve specific issues for residents in the Rochester area, especially those regarding computers. Working as a Computer Scientist, then, was not a career path that was so indifferent from what I had found myself doing on a day-to-day basis. Within Computer Science, there are several disciplines that cater to an individual's skillset. People with an ability to sift through a large quantity of data and gain insight from it might find themselves delving into Data Science, whereas someone who is more design-oriented might venture into UI/UX Design and Web Development. The vastness of Computer Science creates the opportunity from all walks of life to create meaningful change within the field, and it is what compelled me to major in it. I had explored Programming during high school, taking courses at my high school such as Computer Science Principles and Computer Programming - JAVA, and online courses such as Harvard University's CS50 and UC Berkeley's CS61, but so many of the skills I had gained throughout my life, such as logic, following procedure, and learning new languages, translated to Computer Science and made it a great fit for a student like me. Now I find myself using Computer Science to solve problems I encounter, such as finding my Grade Point Average for the semester, solving interesting math problems I encounter on social media, and developing a platform for which I can share my interests with others. All the doors that Computer Science has opened for me remain open for others, and STEM fields champion job growth and outlook for the coming decades, I am anticipating that many other students will find themselves in Computer Science in the future.

By all measures, the internet has become the greatest facilitator of global communication ever created. Some may argue that it's the invention of paper, or the pen, but can every user of a pen decide to communicate in Webdings? Can paper display a GIF? But with great power comes great responsibility. As a result of the breadth of the internet, you may be taunted by an eight-year old living thousands of miles away about your performance in a video game you love or you may find yourself being harassed in an online forum over an opinion you shared by someone you'll never have the displeasure of meeting. Indeed, one of the internet's most favored--and simultaneously hated--features is its anonymity, which exacerbates the issue of "trash talking," especially when there is virtually no punishment for bad online behavior. Though it's easy to dislike the internet for its ability to bring us closer to a Dystopian society, Sir Thomas More may agree that it, instead, should be highlighted for the large strides it has made towards making Utopia real. Millions of examples exist of the successes and joys that internet has bestowed upon entire nations, some of which we can observe in even our own families. My father is a philatelist, a fancy term for a devoted stamp collector. He picked up the passion in the 1980s in rural Bangladesh, collecting stamps and cover cards for some of the world's most memorable events. Throughout the growth of his collection, he's shown me Berlin Wall artifacts, stamps from countries that no longer exist, and even the first stamp to ever exist for the purpose of sending a letter. In the early 2000s, prior to our move to the United States, he set up a small shop in Cumilla where he'd display and sell parts of his collection. It was effective, but was only able to reach a small audience. After our immigration to New York, he set up an online shop on eBay, where he gained a worldwide audience and found other collectors to share his interest with, language barriers aside. Though in real-life he struggles with English, autocorrect and spell-checkers on the internet let him communicate with his customers efficiently and effectively. My mother is a strong believer in the power of family. She and her siblings had always been incredibly close, even sharing first names that were almost identical. After she had immigrated with our family, it was difficult for her to keep in touch, as mail fails to travel quickly across several oceans and continents. But this had been an issue for millions if not billions of people until that point, and the internet has a way of coming together to solve these issues. Skype, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp all became the go-to method of communicating. Though this was a win for her, I'm sure my father was a little upset at the prospect of stamps losing their purpose. My brothers are almost always on their computers. They've been raised around technology all their lives, despite the 11-year age gap that exists between them. They communicate with friends across the country through the use of Discord, SMS texting, and other platforms. They play many of the same games, and are often heard pressing away at their keyboard furiously, though rarely towards each other. As it turns out, interacting through the internet does not have to be mutually inclusive with distance to be noteworthy. Though only one room exists between them, the internet gives them, and billions of others, a form of communication that real-life social interaction never could.

To invest as early as possible in order to rake in the rewards of compound interest over time. Given that I'm 17 years old, I find myself at a good vantage point where I can absorb new financial advice without suffering the consequence of lost time. Every day that passes by after you have reached the age of 18, every day that passes by without being fiscally responsible by investing, is one more day that your investments are not making money for you. At my age, I find it incredibly tempting to buy into lifestyle-creep. That is, to say, buy the newest technology and wear the newest clothes even if it comes at the expense of responsibly investing it elsewhere. Until this point, I have spent the little money I have attempting to live a lifestyle I can't afford. However, with my newfound financial knowledge, I find myself relishing in the fact that I now have the chance to make my future and potentially become a first-generation millionaire while maintaining my title as a first-generation immigrant. Truly, the United States of America is a land where this is possible. In this land, you are capable of being clever with your cash the day you become an adult. With a myriad of different resources online, you know exactly when and where to put your money, whether it be a Roth IRA or Vanguard index funds — whatever is your cup of tea.