<p>they are both grad essays, one for comp sci and one for archaeology, still needing a lot of work..any thoughts?</p>
<p>archaeology one:</p>
<p>I left high school at 16, as I did not feel that the curriculum was challenging, and was in fact holding me back from achieving my goals to the best of my ability. As a result I gained entry to a Bachelor in Information Technology course at the Queensland University of technology at the start of 2002.</p>
<p>Having had a strong desire to learn, and then discuss all things since an early age, I was very happy to finally be admitted to a university, where I could have relevant discussions with my student peers, help others learn, and learn further myself. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case.</p>
<p>I have always been able to think quickly and pick up new concepts with ease, however I found that at university, that most students are still learning about life, and are not yet fully capable of thinking for themselves, I know now this is somewhat accepted, as part of the job of the university is to prepare students for the real world. I found however that I had a strong desire and gained joy from teaching people, helping them understand and passing on knowledge. This manifested itself as being offered a tutoring position in university, due to the fact that I was able to demonstrate my knowledge of the subject exceptionally well, until it went further, assisting lecturers with research and holding private tutoring sessions.</p>
<p>I worked as an ISP administrator at the age of 14, soon after that I registered my own business and built a name for myself doing contract work in all areas of computing, from voice over ip, network auditing, website design and implementation, and software design. It was this experience that helped me gain my independence and appreciate the workings of the business world. During this time I contracted out regularly to some companies, in the role of a network administrator for 2 years, and then an IT manager for a midsize company for 3 years. During this time, while gaining professional experience and contracting to companies such as golden circle and several high profile night clubs in Brisbane.</p>
<p>I have had a strong interest in computer security for a long time, starting with an immature fascination with hackers and a curiosity of the criminal mindset, furthering to developing an complete technology understanding of the relevant technology, with my motivation changing to understand, and protect people, manifesting as professional and academic interests. I have been working on a research thesis for one year, looking at the feasibility and advantages of implementing typically military grade security into more widely used operating systems, in a way which is transparent to the user, so much as it can be.
Also during this time, I gained an interest in travel and exploring the cultures and peoples of the world, starting with a coast to coast tour of the United States and Mexico lasting 3 months, later travelling all of 2005 across Europe and Asia, while completing contract work remotely and locally. It was an amazing experience to meet and make new friends, and perhaps more importantly see the ruins I had fantasized about seeing since my childhood, such as Pompeii and Athens and the coliseum.</p>
<p>At Queensland University of Technology, I engaged in a comprehensive undergraduate study of the four computer science sub-disciplines: data communications, software development, information systems and multimedia applications. I believe my academic and intellectual pursuits are well suited to the wide discipline field of Archaeology, because of its applications in reconstruction, modelling and simulation to aid in a better understanding.
In part because of my teaching and professional experience, I was appointed as Teaching Assistant/Peer Mentor in QUTs General Education Program. In working with a course titled Object Orientated technology, it was my responsibility to develop curriculum for mentor sessions, which accompanied the main course sessions. A significant portion of this year-long course examined the methods and practises of developing software using an object orientated approach, its differences, advantages and disadvantages in both professional and academic contexts. It was vital for the mentor sessions to consider and test concepts and understanding.
One of the growing and most significant areas of study today is archaeology. The science's central goal is to rediscover, understand, and explain the various civilizations of the past. It is however a most challenging area of research since most of the time there are no written documents available to neither validate nor support the conclusions arrived at. Archaeologists can only rely on their intellect and skills which are continuously educated and trained through the years. Moreover, they need to possess patience and perseverance. For, most of the time, it takes a long time to discover the remnants of a past community. What is most remarkable is that often, some of these areas are uncovered accidentally due to the persistent curiosity of an archaeologist. Yet in all cases, the results and rewards are always worth more than the efforts exerted. For, each discovery is a priceless treasure and a source of knowledge that partially completes the large puzzle of the ancient civilizations.
Computers have long been used by archaeologists for tasks such as recording excavation plans, illustrating artefacts and presenting the results of scientific analyses. Lately computer generated images have become commonplace in television documentaries, film and the publishing industries as a part However, if we are to avoid misleading representations of how a site may have appeared, then the computer generated environments should not only look real, they must simulate very accurately all the physical evidence from the site
I have had a strong interest in archaeology, starting with a focus on Egyptology, but expanding to include ancient Greece, Peru and civilisations such as the Aztec and Maya. While many people grew up inspired by action heroes such as Indiana Jones, I was not, instead reading textbooks and left wondering and in awe at how such powerful ancient civilizations lived in everyday life, the people that inspired ancient nations, and how they fell.
I remember reading particular childrens books series as a child, called Cairo Jim, about an archaeologist living and working in the Valley of the Kings. I believe that this series, with its approach of using realistic research and techniques, served to ignite an already present desire to travel and learn about cultures and peoples past and present.
I started to appreciate archaeology when I was very young, being fascinated with the pyramids, and a way of life and culture so different from what I grew up to know. I have always loved taking ancient history subjects since they provide the most complete, factual, and valuable information about the people and societies that once dominated the world. Moreover, most of the facts are based and supported by archaeological discoveries. I always delighted in learning the different philosophies, ways of life, political systems, and inventions during the old era. On one hand, it was quite interesting to see how different the primitive lifestyle was from today's way of living. On the other hand, it was also surprising to know that the minds of the ancient people were as equally profound and powerful as the present generation. The past societies may have nothing more to show the present except old objects, facilities, and infrastructures. Yet these things reflect human minds which once sought for wisdom, growth, and perfection in all aspects of life. By chronologically viewing these archaeological sites, one can see how dramatic and passionate humanity has been in the quest for perfection.</p>
<p>I have acquired most of my knowledge and familiarity about the many archeogical sites only through my private readings, or by watching significant discoveries featured on Television. Yet I was also lucky to have a glimpse of some important sites during my travels in the last few years. There I had the chance to see some of the ruins of the once glorious Roman era. Some of the buildings such as the Colliseum, the Pantheon, or the underground churches in the catacombs in rome were still in good shape. The rest such as the various Roman forums were already in ruins. Still all of them clearly manifested how resplendent was their time once. I know there are still other known primitive and ancient places of equal importance or yet to be uncovered.</p>
<p>Ironically, archaeology which deals with primitive and old civilizations is also a science which is relevant to the present generation. To me, it is more than just digging and uncovering artefacts and old foundations. It is more than making interpretations and arriving at conclusions. The present generation has to value the past civilization including the ruins and artefacts which they left because it can learn a lot from them. Obviously, the kind of world and environment wherein people live today is far above the ancient epoch. Often, people of today tend to focus more on what they have and experience at the present moment. Yet sometimes, they must also realize how important it is to look back. There are some people who easily get confused and stray in life and that is the reason why they need to rediscover again part of themselves which they have forgotten and lost. The ancient times tell where present societies came from in order to help them understand themselves better and to remind the direction where they must go.</p>