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.