"AI is like any system designed by humans, whether it be political, economic, or educational. The system is and can only be as good as the humans who design and use it."
- Israel Showell, February 2024
Israel Showell
A little about me
I was born in February 2005! From the age of 8, I was always fascinated by software, computers, and video games, as such, when I entered university at the age of 16 in Fall 2021, I sought out a computer science degree to fufill my fascination! Recently, I graduated in December 2024 with my bachelor's degree in computer science!
I've learned many skills, programming languages and processes, and have had opportunities
to expand and further hone my abilites.
After graduation, I plan to become a software engineer/developer working on the Front, Back, or Full stack of software applications!
I am also planning to obtain my Master's degree in a business or computer science related field as well!
Below are some of my most practiced skills from my resumes;
- Collaboration
- Experience in Multiple Programing Languages
- Object-Oriented Programming
- Computer Software Installation and Configuration
- Software Development (Full Stack)
- Machine Learning/AI
- Web and Application Development
- Troubleshooting
- Design Thinking
- Relational Database Management Systems
To both satisfy my curious and inventive nature and better prepare myself for my career, I like to develop passion projects that utilize new technologies,
improve my knowledge base, and challenge me to rise to new challenges...and new programming errors...
In this pursuit, I've been able to gather and refine many of my skills through hands-on projects, internships, and confrences!
Passion Projects
Working on the Full-Stack is my one of my favorite parts of software engineering, as I am able to see how the
Back-End processes data, works with databases, and I can see how the Front-End renders the data to the
user in a way that ensures that the user's experience is smooth and pleasant!
Designing the software in my head then on paper,
creating flowcharts, and making prototypes are some other aspects I enjoy doing!
As such, the projects I enjoy creating the most fall into the realm of either apps, web applications, games,
and machine learning/AI enhanced applications!
Skills Meet Experiences
A noteable example of the utilization of my skills comes from my participation in the 2024 Advancing Minorites Interest in Engineering (AMIE) design thinking competition.
My collaboration, presentation, problem solving, designing, and my understanding and usage of AI were just some of the skills I had honed by developing a solution for AI bias with a team of students for the 2024 AMIE competition!
After many weeks of researching, designing, and practicing, our team presented on stage at the BEYA confrence where AMIE was being hosted, and we were awarded first place for our efforts!
(I was trying out a hat the day we presented at the BEYA confrence the AMIE design competition!)
Recent/Major Accomplishments
Here are some of my accomplishments that I've made thus far!
Entered University at 16 in Fall 2021
Beginning my higher education at UMES at the age of 16 has been an interesting experience and taking into account all the challenges, projects, good and bad times, I'm glad to have started and now at 19, finish the first part of my higher education, be a part of the Class of 2024, and begin my next steps in life!
Developed Voluble
Designing and publishing an app has been a long time dream of mine! To kickstart this dream, I made a basic chat app, Voluble! The next step is to improve upon the methods I used to make Voluble, and launch a fully-prepared app to the world via the Google Play Store!
1st place in the 2024 AMIE Design Thinking Competition
In Spring 2024, I represented UMES in a design thinking competition with a team of 6 other students, and we were awarded first place for our solution! This experience has left a lasting impact on me, and now I integrate design thinking into my software development process more than ever! In Fall 2024, my team and I were given the chance to present to the main AMIE confrence alongside the other 2 top-placing HBCUs!
Headstarter AI Fellowship
I was a member in the Headstarter Fellowship! Particapting in this fellowship with other like-minded individuals has helped me to increase my skills and continue to discover new technologies!
Updated my Landing Page
The page you are on right now is an updated version of my previous one! It also is the first project from the Headstarter fellowship and has helped me improve both my designing and branding skills!
Volunteering
During my time at UMES, I have volunteered as a computer science tutor for grade students from the ages 8 - 17, and other university students in a program called MSL Symphony! Helping others get into computer science reminds me of my own interest in technology, and it fills with joy watching others light up as they explore the same world that captivated me at the age of 8!