Professional Self-Assessment
This self-assessment provides a reflective overview of my growth throughout the Computer Science program at Southern New Hampshire University. It highlights key accomplishments, technical skills, and collaborative experiences that shaped my development. I discuss how the capstone course and earlier coursework helped me strengthen areas such as software architecture, algorithm design, database handling, and secure development practices. Additionally, I connect these achievements to my career goals and professional values as I prepare to transition into industry roles requiring analytical problem-solving, system optimization, and effective communication.
Over the course of my academic journey at Southern New Hampshire University, I have had the opportunity to engage in an integrated and rigorous curriculum that has allowed me to apply technical knowledge to practical, real-world problems. Completing the computer science program and developing this ePortfolio has not only allowed me to showcase my technical strengths, but it has also given me the opportunity to shape and articulate my professional goals, reflect on my values, and highlight the experiences that have prepared me for the transition into a full-time software development role.
From the beginning of the program, I was drawn to system thinking and backend development—areas that demand strong algorithmic intuition, architectural planning, and optimization techniques. These interests were further refined throughout courses such as CS-330 (Computational Graphics and Visualization), CS-340 (Database Design), and CS-499 (Capstone), where I was challenged to take ownership of my learning by building modular, scalable, and maintainable solutions. The process of constructing this ePortfolio offered the unique opportunity to enhance and consolidate the most significant projects from across the program into a curated body of work that reflects my growth in both depth and breadth.
One of the most transformative aspects of my education has been learning how to collaborate within technical and interdisciplinary teams. During the CS-310 and CS-350 courses, I regularly partnered with classmates on group assignments where coordination, version control, and clear communication were essential. These experiences taught me how to build collaborative environments where diverse voices can contribute to shared goals that directly support organizational decision-making in professional settings. At Amazon, where I currently work as a Learning Coordinator, I have applied this ability to cross-functional training teams and initiatives that integrate technology and operations.
Effective communication has been just as critical as technical ability. Whether drafting documentation, composing implementation reports, or giving oral presentations, I have practiced conveying complex technical ideas in a coherent, accessible manner. My experience leading data-centric projects and audits at Amazon has further reinforced the importance of adapting my message to suit different audiences—from floor associates to area managers. These communication skills are demonstrated throughout the narrative components of this portfolio and in the commentary provided alongside each enhancement.
In terms of technical competencies, I have gained deep experience in data structures, algorithms, software engineering, and database development. Through my enhancements, I implemented recursive scene graph traversal, utilized vector arrays to optimize rendering operations, and integrated JSON-based persistence into a graphical application to track and display high scores. Each of these artifacts represents a deliberate focus on performance, reusability, and user experience. Additionally, I incorporated secure coding practices by reducing redundancy and validating inputs to mitigate common vulnerabilities.
Security was addressed most directly in CS-305 (Software Security), where I learned how to apply secure design principles and harden systems against threats such as buffer overflows and injection attacks. Although not all those projects are represented in this ePortfolio, their influence can be seen in my structured error handling and documentation practices throughout.
This ePortfolio brings together three core artifacts that represent software design, algorithmic sophistication, and database integration. While each project is standalone, they are unified by a consistent focus on modular design, performance efficiency, and user-centered functionality. Together, they illustrate not only my technical abilities but also my process for identifying inefficiencies, enhancing legacy code, and delivering final products that meet or exceed rubric and industry standards.
This portfolio reflects more than technical aptitude; it demonstrates my commitment to growth, problem-solving, and ethical development in an increasingly complex digital world. As I move forward in my career, whether continuing at Amazon in a technical role or pursuing software engineering opportunities elsewhere, I feel well prepared to contribute thoughtfully, communicate effectively, and continuously adapt to the evolving demands of the field.
Code Review
This video walkthrough provides an initial review of the artifact prior to enhancement, identifying areas for architectural, algorithmic, and usability improvements. I assess issues such as redundant rendering logic, rigid data structures, and limited modularity, and propose enhancements to improve maintainability and performance. The review also outlines how each proposed improvement maps to CS-499 course outcomes. Through this process, I demonstrate my ability to conduct technical analysis and communicate development strategy clearly to both peers and stakeholders.
Enhancement 1: Software Design
This enhancement improved the structure and maintainability of a C++ OpenGL-based 3D rendering system. The original artifact lacked modularity, making future updates difficult. To address this, I refactored the codebase using structured data types, introduced a scene graph with hierarchical node organization, and centralized transformation logic for reuse. These changes aligned with software engineering principles by increasing scalability, improving object abstraction, and enhancing rendering performance.
Enhancement 2: Algorithms
This enhancement focused on algorithmic optimization and data structure refinement in the 3D rendering project. I implemented recursive traversal of a custom scene graph and used matrix transformations to manage object states dynamically. Additional logic was introduced to enable physically based lighting techniques such as percentage closer filtering (PCF). The new algorithms enhanced scene realism, reduced rendering redundancy, and improved overall computational efficiency.
Enhancement 3: Databases
In this enhancement, I integrated JSON-based data persistence into an OpenGL-based brick breaker game. Originally, the game lacked any form of state saving. I implemented functionality that prompts users for initials upon game completion, stores scores in a JSON file, and retrieves and displays high scores on subsequent playthroughs. This demonstrates effective file-based database handling and user I/O management without requiring a traditional RDBMS.
Journals & Supporting Work
Each journal entry documents the weekly progress, challenges, and learning outcomes throughout the CS-499 capstone. These reflections highlight how I implemented feedback, overcame technical issues such as shader inconsistencies and callback timing, and aligned my enhancements with course objectives. The journals also provide evidence of professional growth through problem-solving, self-guided research, and adaptation to evolving project demands. They serve as a narrative of my development and reinforce the depth of my engagement across software design, algorithm theory, and data systems.
GitHub Profile Preview
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