Hey there, my names Colton Cooper and my major is electrical engineering. This is actually my first semester at the University of Oklahoma. I Previously attended OCCC and have just transferred from there. Though technically I’m attending both Colleges since my engineering physics class is still at OCCC. Anyways, I’ve already completed my Associates Degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology and so I decided it was time to move to OU to work on my bachelor’s degree.
To give some background on my choice of major, after high school I decided to attend Moore Norman Technology Center and took their Electrical Trades and Automated Industrial Systems course. Originally, I decided on that course because I wanted to learn a skill trade that would make it easier for me to get a decent job and have always been interested in how electronics work. It was during my time at MNTC that I decided I wanted to further my education past the vocational level and started working towards becoming an electrical engineer. In particular, there was one part of the course that really stood out to me and pushed me to make this decision. That part being when I learned about industrial robotics. It was really fascinating and I even learned how to program robotic industrial arms.
To give some background on my choice of major, after high school I decided to attend Moore Norman Technology Center and took their Electrical Trades and Automated Industrial Systems course. Originally, I decided on that course because I wanted to learn a skill trade that would make it easier for me to get a decent job and have always been interested in how electronics work. It was during my time at MNTC that I decided I wanted to further my education past the vocational level and started working towards becoming an electrical engineer. In particular, there was one part of the course that really stood out to me and pushed me to make this decision. That part being when I learned about industrial robotics. It was really fascinating and I even learned how to program robotic industrial arms.
Articulated welding robotic arm.
Source: Wikipedia
Changing subjects somewhat, now I would like to talk about what got me interested in mythology. This isn’t actually my first mythology course since I took one at OCCC beforehand. However, that was before I learned that I need 3000 level general education course. So, when I saw this course as an option, my choice wasn’t hard. Anyways, back to why I have an interest in mythology. For pretty much my entire life my hobbies have included video games and anime, mostly thanks to my elder siblings, and it just so happens that mythological figures appear in these things quite often. So that gave me a base interest but it was one franchise that really got me interested. That franchise being the Fate/Stay Night franchise otherwise known as the Fate Verse. Its basic premise is that modern mages summon famous figures from history and mythology that then fight in a battle royal to obtain the Holy Grail that will granted any one wish. It really fascinated me to see mythological figures like Hercules and King Arthur fight. Though the franchise does take quite a few liberties with these legends, for example King Arthur is a woman, it did make me interested enough to look into the original stories of these figures. And that’s pretty much the reason why I’m taking this class.
Your education story is so great, Colton! I really like how you have been finding the right education situation at each stage of your learning so far, and I hope you will have a fantastic time now at OU! Do you know about the different "maker spaces" on campus now? If you go visit the one in Bizzell Library, say hi to Cody Taylor there: he is an electrical engineering major who is now working on all kinds of programming projects in the Library: Cody Taylor — as you can see his job title is "emerging technologies librarian"... very cool indeed!
ReplyDeleteAnd the idea of a King Arthur gender flip is exactly the kind of storytelling experiment you could do for this class; there's a reading unit for class that has the story of a famous lady knight for example: Britomart ... you can check that out as you start exploring the class readings next week. Bringing the energy of robotics and video games to this class will be perfect: have fun!
Hi Colton,
ReplyDeleteAs a linguistics major I know pretty much nothing about engineering, but robotic arms do sound interesting. After you graduate do you want to design them?
One of the things that interests me about this course is how stories evolve and keep being used in different contexts, like you were saying about video games. How many siblings do you have? Are they older than you?
What's up Colton, similar to you I have seen the Fate shows (although they kind of went meh after Stay Night). I used to be a chemical engineer and physics kicked my butt so that was no longer in the cards for me. What do you plan on doing after school with your degree? What kind of video games do you play? Any other anime you watch?
ReplyDeleteHi Colton! I love that you found out what you wanted to pursue and have such a passion for it. Robotics is such a cool area of study and it's constantly being researched in our generation with advancements happening every day. I also see that you're into video games and anime. This caught my attention because I'm also a big fan of both areas. I used to play a lot of PC games, but have transitioned over to console games on the PS4. I also watch and read a lot of anime as well. My favorite has got to be Death Note. It's awesome that your older siblings exposed you such a vast and integral part of Japanese culture.
ReplyDeleteMy roommate is also taking classes at OCCC and OU so I know that's got to be stressful. I hope everything is working out alright for you!
ReplyDeleteYour major fascinates me because I could never do any of those things! Technology is definitely not my strong point but I admire your determination and mindset about your future.
I wasn't a huge video game player growing up but that's a super interesting way to get involved in mythology! I don't think I've ever heard of that instance before so I think it'll be interesting to read more of your posts and see your viewpoint on things.
Nice to "meet" you!
Hey Colton!
ReplyDeleteI think its pretty interesting that you are involved in Robotics. One day they are truly going to run everything I feel kind of like iRobot with Will Smith. I too like video games but mainly sports ones like NBA 2k or Madden. I wish my mind was more engineering style than it is because you guys seem to see how everything works while I struggle to put things like the desk in my room together. Anyways I hope you enjoy coming to OU. I have loved it since I started here as a freshman but I think I might be taking a class at TCC this winter so that would be my first class at another school.
Good Luck this semester!
Hey Colton! It's really cool that you decided to take the vocational route instead of jumping directly into college out of high school. That is a choice that I highly commend, and it will be no surprise when you enter the work force with your degree AND technical experience. This day in age, you have to make yourself stand out to potential employers, and with the path that you are on, you will definitely be a stand-out. Good luck with college!
ReplyDeleteColton, I haven't read any other introductory post about why people have chosen this mythology course. I thought that that was a nice addition to your post, and it lets us know more about your educational interests, as engineering is very different than mythology! You seem like a person with varying interests, which keeps life fun! It sounds like you know where you're headed. Good luck in your endeavors!
ReplyDeleteHi Colton!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to OU! I hope you're enjoying your time here at the University having transferred from OCCC. I wanted to point out that I love how you go into detail as to your interest for this class, and what made you want to take it. I think you're the first introduction post I have read that has really even mentioned their reasoning. I think other people who have commented here have noticed that too! I wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors, and the rest of this semester! You're halfway done!!! Nice to meet you again!
Hi Colton, I think that is a good way to approach college to take your basics at somewhere like OCCC then transfer at OU to finish your studies. What an interesting path for your studies. What a cool reason to take this class. Good luck this semester!
ReplyDeleteHey Colton! A lot of my friends from back home in New York did the same thing that you did. Taking your gen eds somewhere else and transferring to OU was probably a great way to save money and allow you to enjoy the classes that you have here at OU! I came straight to OU, and sometimes I wish I waited. I hope you're having a great semester and happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteHey Colton! Welcome to OU. Hope your semester first has been going well! I first have to say that I really like your page! It looks really good and it is easy to navigate. I know many people enrolled in engineering here, I think you will enjoy it. And that's really interesting that you are so familiar with this subject. I'll bet your really enjoy it. You seem to have a lot of insight on the subject. But anyway, I hope you have a great semester and finish strong!
ReplyDeleteHey Colton! I think that it is great that you took the opportunity with MNTC and it inspired you to further your education. My coworker is also in electrical engineering and it amazes me everything you need to know and be able to implement. As a Letters major, all of that goes over my head! I hope you have been enjoying this class this semester as a nice break from physics and engineering!
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