I'm currently pursuing the ever so rapidly growing trade of computer science, with a specific focus on application development. My passion for technology started early in life. I’ve always been curious about how things work, especially computers. That curiosity led me to enroll in the Web Design and Application Development program at the Trumbull County Technical Center during my final years of high school. There, I realized that technology isn’t just about coding or building websites, it’s about solving problems, creating experiences, and helping others bring their ideas to life. The mix of logic and creativity sparks an overall passion for my work, enabling me to see the connections between fantasy writing and realized digital works. Whether I’m designing a website for someone or building a video game from the ground up, I’m able to express myself while learning how digital systems work on a deeper level. After completing my trade education, I plan to continue developing my skills through freelance work and personal projects. I’ve already begun building a portfolio of websites and video game prototypes that show not only what I’ve learned but also what I’m capable of independently. I hope to grow my brand, reach more clients, and eventually start my own game development studio. My goal is to create a career that allows me to help and overall entertain others through the magic of computers, while also expressing my creativity as a whole. Be it something completely aimed at a functional purpose or purely driving by entertaining prowess, I want to build a career that feels personal and impactful. One of the biggest and most memorable challenges I faced was during my senior year at TCTC was when my classmates and I had to complete a capstone project. This project was essentially the final "yes or no" as to if we were skilled in our trade or not. It was truly a make-or-break moment, if any one of us fell below the marker, that man would not be considered ready to pass the course. Due to this strenuous fact, many of us struggled to find direction worthy of thought and dedication. I and my classmates knew what we had learned, but we weren’t sure how to apply it in a meaningful way. Instead of working alone, I brought a few of my classmates together and pitched an idea: what if we all created smaller projects that contributed to one big one? That idea became the T.H.I.E.F. Initiative, a collaborative game project that allowed each of us to focus on our individual strengths while contributing to a shared goal. It wasn’t easy organizing the group, or balancing all the moving parts, but by listening, adapting, and keeping everyone focused, I ended up orchestrating and overseeing a project we were all proud to present. I'm also happy to say, we all passed above advanced, haha. That experience taught me that leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself, it’s about helping others do their best work and building something greater together.

There are a multitude of passion projects and education-based projects I have worked on over the years. If I had to choose one, however, it would be the one I am still working on to this day. In my final days of high school, I attended the Trumbull County Technical Center, enrolling in their Web Design and Application Development program. It was a major decision that helped me build the foundation for my future in technology. Toward the end of my senior year, my classmates and I were tasked with completing a capstone project. This project needed to demonstrate to a panel of judges that we were capable of applying the skills we had learned in our trade. We were made aware of this requirement well before the deadline; however, one dilemma seemed to plague our classroom, no one knew what to do for their final project. Hence, the T.H.I.E.F. Initiative was born. The Honest Idea of Educational Fighting (T.H.I.E.F.) was a game project designed to solve multiple problems with a single idea. I came to the conclusion that what we needed most was a unified focus. So, gathering a handful of my peers, I presented a solution. In short, we each created smaller projects with the shared goal of contributing to a larger one. Everyone was given a specific task based on their skill set, passion, and overall knowledge base. Each role was tailored so that not only would we appear professional during our presentations, but we could also connect our individual work back to the main project. This wasn’t just a way to optimize our professional appearance and to earn a passing grade, it was an opportunity for all of us to come together and learn from one another’s ideas. We brought together our creative strengths, weaknesses, and quirks to build a game that was truly ours. Once all was said and done, I’m proud to say that my small orchestration of a few outgoing high schoolers resulted in something we’ll remember for years to come. Not to mention, we all passed our capstone presentations with scores well above advanced, haha. Technology has always been a large part of my life, not just in school or my community. Even as a young boy, I was fixated on understanding how and why technology worked. That curiosity led me into a realm of learning that outshined all my other skills. Understanding how a computational system works gives me a sense of pride. It shows that the human mind is capable of creating truly amazing things. That’s where my inspiration lies. If humans can build such wonders through technology, then why can’t I do the same? Technology is a tool created from great minds to aid and allow the creation of other amazing long-lasting ideas. Every day I strive to finally make something that will leave a mark just as big as the creation of the computer.

In the world of trades, there is a plethora to choose from. Personally, I like to stick to what I know. My name is Zane Hochstetler, and I am an aspiring student studying the wonderful world of digital trades. Web design, graphic design, video editing, even programming. If it involves a computer, I want to understand it and refine my skills in it. From humble beginnings as a trade student, to my future goals and coveted career dreams, and even my soon to come graduation plans, my whole focus has been on computer-oriented trades. To begin, let me break down my history. Ever since grade school, I have ensured to take classes revolving around computers, be it typing, simple web design, google suite classes, if it involved a screen, I was doing it. Even when the class was not computer focused, I still managed to find a way to get my love of computers in the class. Anytime I had a project about a book or a story, I would always make a micro video game opposed to a paper. I loved the reactions my classmates had to my projects and loved adding a spark to the classroom. Later down the line, I left my homeschool to attend the Trumbull Career & Technical Center, enrolling in the Web Design and Application Development course. I was able to thrive as a student, leading a multitude of BPA competitions, putting together and leading various digital projects, and most recently, creating a game project that will stretch through generations of students. My recent academic endeavors have also been focused on digital trades, particularly my enrollment in Kent State's IT program. So why did I sink my time into all of this work? Why exactly focus on it? Bluntly, my dream is to become my own self-made man. I want to operate my own digital domain so to speak. My short-term goals revolve around my current endeavors, expanding my independent contracting to bigger and better clients. But my main goal is the construction of my own game studio. Throughout the years, I have found that two things matter to me when it comes to work. The first goal in my work is to go above and beyond expectations. You will either fall above the bar, or below the bar. The second goal in my work is the entertainment factor. Work will always be viewed in a positive light to the creator, but when your work truly inspires and provokes a reaction from others, you know your work is good. Hence, my long-term goal is to be a man who can work for himself, and continue creating entertaining, emotion provoking projects for years to come. My goals may be far, but graduation is coming up quick. What do I plan to do after graduation? I suppose my first task is to pull my resources together. Use all the social ties, work experiences, and over all skills I have learned through my higher education to construct a baseline. From there, I will focus on what I am good at. Small jobs, large jobs, simple favorite here and there, build a repour within my community. Finally, after graduation, my ultimate goal is to create a steady flow of income for myself. The only way a man can truly reach his dreams, is by supporting himself first.

Hello there, my name is Zane Hochstetler. I am currently a high school senior, attending the Trumbull County Technical Center (TCTC) trade school. My current trade of study is computer programming and general computer sciences. As of now, I am ready for the working world! I was able to not only establish a bases of my trade, but also developed a means of being, essentially, my own boss! (Via being a contractor / free agent.) So why choose the path of trades? For starters, being educated in a trade means you can do as you wish in your field, there is a wide variety of opportunities! I'm able to do things how I want, and when I want; I am able to do freelance work and do what I love at my own pace. Speaking of which, one of the other reasons I took up a trade is the fact I love it! I can learn and expand my knowledge of a topic I find intriguing, while also being productive in the process. Being a trade student, I have many avenues of income to choose from. When you have a trade under your belt, you become more than just an average, everyday worker. You become an essential asset to the world of business. You become a resource, something that is sought after and valued by the working world. In short, I became invested with the path of trades because it allows me to get a head start in life. It allows me to study and develop a skill I cherish, and it allows me to gain many operativities I would otherwise lose out on.

If I was stuck watching only one movie for the rest of my life, it would need to be "Star Wars; Return of the Jedi." Now, some may say, why? Why have the same space action story replayed for you over and over and over again? Well, there are a few reasons why I chose this cinematic marvel. In the bluntest manner, I am a Star Wars fan, but I chose this Star Wars movie in particular as it was the first Star War movie I had ever seen. This movie was one of the best ways me and my father connected. My father showed me something from his childhood, and now it remains a favorite of mine to this day. The second reason I would choose this movie is the plot. Yes, lasers and spaceships make an action-packed plot but, that isn't the main point I take away. Towards the end of the film, we are faced with one of the most pinacol battles in Star Wars lore, the battle between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. A fight of good and evil, a son fighting his father. During the conflict, Darth Vader is faced with a choice, continue down this torturous path of the dark side, or come back to the light. This scene is one of my favorites; yes, it depicts an epic and eye pleasing visual event but more importantly, it showcases the idea that anyone can return from even their darkest depths. Personally, if I was to watch a movie for the rest of my life, I would want it to be visually spectacular, and hold a prominent message I could use for years to come. This movie also has a great deal of concepts when considering the plot. We see a mix of people banning together to fight a common enemy, we see the wills of many unthwarted by an almost insurmountable darkness, and we see family values that display the true nature of what it means to be such. Overall, this movie has been a personal anchor in my life, a great teacher of sorts in terms of morals, and even a means of exploring emotional and complex topics that can easily be attributed to my life in one form or another. In short, if I was to watch the same movie over and over again for the rest of my natural born life, it would need to be the one that allowed me to connect many dots as a child, for my future and my present.