My name is Kartavis Phillips. I am a sophomore computer science major with a minor in mathematics at Mississippi Valley State University located in Itta Bena, Mississippi. Growing up, I was always fascinated by computers. There was so much I could do with them from being on social medias to playing games. Being on a robotics team during high school opened my eyes to the field of computer science. I was amazed about how we could make the robot do whatever we wanted just from programming it. I knew at that point that I would want a major like computer science because there are many opportunities in this field.

I am currently about to start my sophomore year at Mississippi Valley Sate University majoring in computer science. I started out programming with C++ my freshman year, and I am very fluent with it. I have been attending a SGCI 4 Week Coding Institute at Elizabeth City State University. During the internship, I have learned Python, R Studio, Git lab, and Unix Shell.

Professors from the Software Carpentry Institute taught me how Unix Shell, R Studio, and Git lab can be used on a daily basis. The Git lab was very useful because it allowed me to code on an assignment with my peers without having to be next to them. With the Git lab, multiple people can code an assignment together, which saves time and makes finding an error in a program less difficult.

The SGCI 4 Week Coding Institute has equipped me with numerous skills that are beneficial in the Computer Science industry. As part of the Science Gateway Community 4 Week Coding Institute, I will be attending the PEARC 17 conference. During the conference, I will be working with using Comet’s Virtual Clusters, and I will be helping the Student Program Committee.

After I achieve my bachelor’s degree, I plan on furthering my education to obtain a Master’s Degree in Computer Science. With a master’s degree, I plan on working with application software or artificial intelligence. Observations will be taken from society to see what they are looking for in applications that they download, and I will be creating applications that meet their needs. Artificial intelligence has always been intriguing to me. Programming robots to carry out human tasks can be very beneficial to society. When there are dangerous situations that we need more information on, instead of risking a person’s life to gather the information, a robot can be sent in to gather the information.