- Major: Computer Engineering
- Company: Dominion Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Graduation Year: 2024
- E-mail: lsmit248@vols.utk.edu
Profile
I had the incredible opportunity to complete two co-op rotations with Dominion Energy as a nuclear engineering student before making the switch to computer science. Dominion Energy is a great energy company based in Virginia, with the goal of helping the environment through having net-zero carbon emissions in the future. Although I didn't finish my co-op, it played a huge role in helping me discover my true passions and career path.
My summer internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in 2023 was an absolute game-changer. It solidified my love for computer science and research, giving me hands-on experience which took my skills to a whole new level. ORNL is a prestigious research laboratory which was and still is pivotal to our understanding of nuclear science and engineering. It's not just a lab that researches nuclear power, it also has a large hand in researching technology and what it can do. ORNL is the home to both the fastest and third fastest supercomputers in the world, and with their research, they may end up creating a supercomputer even faster. During my time at ORNL, I worked on BRIAR, "Biometric Recognition and Identification at Altitude and Range" where I got to play around with camera equipment and dive into coding in C using the GStreamer plugin. It was a great opportunity to learn and adapt to new technologies in a real professional setting. I learned so many new things there that no classroom could ever teach me.
The summer of 2024 I spent my time with Southern Company, where I learned more about computer science and even about myself. It was a life-changing opportunity where I got to learn more about the different aspects of how my learning can apply to a company's operations. I also was able to see all the different backgrounds both professionally and academically that can lead to a position involved in the technology industry. This experience broadened my horizons, and I was able to see all of the different career possibilities available to me and where my learning can take me.
When I'm not occupied with schoolwork, I'm an adventurous soul who loves exploring new places and trying out all sorts of activities. I have a passion for creating art, and I also enjoy watching anime and manga in my free time. I enjoy going to anime conventions because it is like stepping into a whole new world. Art is another passion of mine, and although I had a full scholarship opportunity for art school, I ended up at UT as an engineering student. I wouldn't ever change that decision because the friends and professors I've met on my journey have forever shaped me and have helped me find my passions.
I am also a teaching assistant for computer science classes, and as a TA, I love helping my fellow students succeed and making their learning journey a bit smoother. I love teaching others while also helping out the professors create even better classes for the students. It's given me great experience working with others and also debugging others' code.
So, my journey from nuclear engineering to computer science has been quite the adventure. Dominion Energy, ORNL, and Southern Company have been instrumental in guiding me toward what I'm truly passionate about. I'm a knowledge-hungry individual with a burning desire to make a difference in the world of computer science. With my diverse experiences, love for exploration, and dedication to helping others, I'm ready to continue growing and helping others along the way as well.
