Who am I?

My name is Alex Michael Brown. I am a Software Engineering student at Drexel University; class of 2020. I grew up in the Pocono Mountains, and I have been living in Philadelphia since 2015.

My interest in computers started at a very young age. In fourth grade, I attended a summer computer course where I learned to create movies in old school Windows Moviemaker and how to write basic HTML and CSS. As a child, the idea of having my own website was fascinating, even if it was just a file on my computer than no one else could see. I would continue to join computer programs that my school offered throughout middle school.

Once I reached High School, I had the opportunity to take an Intro to Java course. My computer science teacher took my childhood interest in computers and turned it into a passion. This course taught me the basics of programming using Java applets. By the end of the semester, I had made my very first video game (Although it wasn't anything worth bragging about. Ever see a fighting game programmed entirely using arrays, booleans, and if statements?). At the turn of the semester, I immediately requested that I be transferred to the Advanced Java class.

From there, the next step was to take the AP Java Exam. My AP Java class took the focus off making fun games and turned it towards learning the best programming tactics. This course proved to me that I didn't just enjoy programming because I liked being able to make and play my own video games; I enjoyed it for the act of programming itself. Since AP Java was the highest-level programming course my High School offered, I decided to pursue an independent study the following year. During this study, I began to learn C++ programming.

It wouldn't be until my Freshman year of college that I got to experience programming in teams. At Drexel, all students of the College of Computing and Informatics are required to complete a Freshman Design Project. Working with a group of 5 students, we created a video game called The Cave of Trials. My job in the group was making sure everything was being completed on time while picking up the slack when we were in a time crunch. This project was also my introduction to repositories.

In recent years, I have honed my skills as a programmer through advanced classes, internships and personal projects. My favorite language to write in today is Python 3. My recent classes have taught me more complex programming skills including networks and threads, while my internships and projects have allowed me to discover new Python techniques.

Outside of programming, I also participated in my local Boy Scouts of America Troop. In June of 2015, I earned the rank of Eagle Scout. My Eagle Scout project consisted of constructing a wedding venue outside my local District Courthouse. The completed venue had a gazebo, a small garden, a number of benches, and a stone paver pathway. I had to lead a group of volunteers to get the project completed successfully. This project was a major turning point in my life, as it allowed me to obtain the skills necessary to be a leader.

I have several activities I like to do in my free time. One of my biggest time sinks is streaming TV shows on Netflix and Hulu. My favorite shows are It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Office, Black Mirror, and Bojack Horseman. I also enjoy listening to music such as Bowling for Soup and Dragonforce or podcasts such as The Adventure Zone and Citation Needed. Tabletop gaming is another hobby of mine, and an expensive one at that. There's a good reason why people often refer to Magic: The Gathering as "Cardboard Crack". Other than that, I really enjoy going out and exploring the city. I often go on long walks, sometimes as long as to the Old City and back. I also use Philadelphia's IndeGo rentals to get around from time to time. My favorite places to go in the city are Rittenhouse Square, The Oval, and the Schuylkill River Trail.