NatKarmios/PersonalStatement.txt

## PersonalStatement.txt
Ever since my first "Hello, world!" when I was 11 year old, I have lived and breathed Computer Science.

As of Year 7, I have been learning various programming languages in order to better understand the world of computers. Beginning with Codecademy's Python course and fiddling with Minecraft servers and plugins, I am now particularly fluent in Python, Java and JavaScript (along with Linux experience), and I am working on adding C/C++ and Haskell to that list.

After earning my A* in Computing GCSE a year early, I studied to become an Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer, passing the exam in May 2016. This opened my eyes to how the Java compiler "thinks" about code, and improved my attitude towards code as a developer.

Of course, my understanding of Computer Science has had practical applications; from personal computer use and entertainment to academics and employment, my prowess with computers has helped me every step of the way.

I currently work part time for NowComms, a small marketing company, writing serverside scripts and programs to aid in their business. I have also completed a week's work experience in the summer of 2015 at Maxeler Technologies, where I gained insight into how algorithms are developed at the extreme end of computer performance. Wanting more, I spent another 8 weeks this summer interning there once again, this time focusing on hardware and maintaining the company's computer systems.

In terms of academics, my expertise lent itself particularly well to the CREST project which I completed with some peers, for which we earned a gold award; this project was centered around particle physics and simulating collisions in CERN's Large Hadron Collider. This was a great opportunity to learn new things about the structure of Linux, which I had to use for Pythia (the simulation program), as well as pulling together a variety of skills I had acquired. This includes using Docker for containerization and dependancy management and developing a visual web interface so that the other contributors, who would not be able to generate data for themselves otherwise, could easily access and generate data with their own parameters. This was an insightful experience, giving me a taste of researching in a group.

Wanting to further investigate Functional Programming, I am currently researching on an EPQ comparing a pure functional language to FP's implementation in other languages (i.e. Python, JS and Java 8). This will give me some valuable experience in researching independently, as well as bolstering my understanding of different programming paradigms.

The decision to do this was inspired by some of my wider reading; Eric Normand's article, "Programming Paradigms and the Procedural Paradox", showed me some of the ambiguity that surrounds programming paradigms and the way that developers think about code. This insightful article spurred me on to complete this further research, which led me to read "Programming in Haskell" by Graham Hutton.

My quest to delve further into this topic was aided by my love of maths; I earned the top grade on the FSMQ, demonstrating my aptitude for mathematics. I have also been invited to take part in the Royal Institution's Mathematics Masterclasses since 2013, of which I have attended the full series - these were great lectures, expanding my mathematical horizons by exposing me to the wide array of ways that maths can be applied both theoretically and in the real world.

Furthermore, to supplement my programming career, I have gained some prowess in graphic design (both 2D and 3D), particularly using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere, as well as Blender. Whilst this is mostly a hobby, I've completed a handful of professional jobs in graphic design for clients over the internet.

Computer Science is the future, and I want to be part of it.
	Ever since my first "Hello, world!" when I was 11 year old, I have lived and breathed Computer Science.

	As of Year 7, I have been learning various programming languages in order to better understand the world of computers. Beginning with Codecademy's Python course and fiddling with Minecraft servers and plugins, I am now particularly fluent in Python, Java and JavaScript (along with Linux experience), and I am working on adding C/C++ and Haskell to that list.

	After earning my A* in Computing GCSE a year early, I studied to become an Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer, passing the exam in May 2016. This opened my eyes to how the Java compiler "thinks" about code, and improved my attitude towards code as a developer.

	Of course, my understanding of Computer Science has had practical applications; from personal computer use and entertainment to academics and employment, my prowess with computers has helped me every step of the way.

	I currently work part time for NowComms, a small marketing company, writing serverside scripts and programs to aid in their business. I have also completed a week's work experience in the summer of 2015 at Maxeler Technologies, where I gained insight into how algorithms are developed at the extreme end of computer performance. Wanting more, I spent another 8 weeks this summer interning there once again, this time focusing on hardware and maintaining the company's computer systems.

	In terms of academics, my expertise lent itself particularly well to the CREST project which I completed with some peers, for which we earned a gold award; this project was centered around particle physics and simulating collisions in CERN's Large Hadron Collider. This was a great opportunity to learn new things about the structure of Linux, which I had to use for Pythia (the simulation program), as well as pulling together a variety of skills I had acquired. This includes using Docker for containerization and dependancy management and developing a visual web interface so that the other contributors, who would not be able to generate data for themselves otherwise, could easily access and generate data with their own parameters. This was an insightful experience, giving me a taste of researching in a group.

	Wanting to further investigate Functional Programming, I am currently researching on an EPQ comparing a pure functional language to FP's implementation in other languages (i.e. Python, JS and Java 8). This will give me some valuable experience in researching independently, as well as bolstering my understanding of different programming paradigms.

	The decision to do this was inspired by some of my wider reading; Eric Normand's article, "Programming Paradigms and the Procedural Paradox", showed me some of the ambiguity that surrounds programming paradigms and the way that developers think about code. This insightful article spurred me on to complete this further research, which led me to read "Programming in Haskell" by Graham Hutton.

	My quest to delve further into this topic was aided by my love of maths; I earned the top grade on the FSMQ, demonstrating my aptitude for mathematics. I have also been invited to take part in the Royal Institution's Mathematics Masterclasses since 2013, of which I have attended the full series - these were great lectures, expanding my mathematical horizons by exposing me to the wide array of ways that maths can be applied both theoretically and in the real world.

	Furthermore, to supplement my programming career, I have gained some prowess in graphic design (both 2D and 3D), particularly using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere, as well as Blender. Whilst this is mostly a hobby, I've completed a handful of professional jobs in graphic design for clients over the internet.

	Computer Science is the future, and I want to be part of it.