Course of 2022: Kodua ‘KD’ Kwarteng flexes the flexibility of pc science to come across his route | VTx

When searching for majors to go after, Kodua “KD” Kwarteng noticed laptop science as a best match due to the fact it was each rewarding and a resourceful outlet. Drawing inspiration from his Black Engineering Help Teams mentor Kayla Moore ’20, Kwarteng stated he was fascinated when she spoke of her encounters and aspirations with computer system science. 

As a result of many programs, together with Introduction to Human-Personal computer Conversation, Kwarteng and his classmates were being asked to consider whether technologies contributes to isolationism and have been tasked with developing a task that supported their position on the dilemma. One particular of the to start with activities included a fast-fire brainstorming session in which learners pitched ideas involving wearable know-how and virtual actuality.

“The level of the work out was to believe outside of the box and pitch the very first points that came to mind,” said Kwarteng. “Brainstorming this way permitted me to individual the complexity element from achievable alternatives, as I was encouraged to pitch my most unique concepts. The workout taught me that we tend to limit our creativeness to what we know is presently probable and what we have presently expert.”

Kwarteng and his classmates created Challenge Fellowship, asserting that technology provides individuals jointly alternatively than creating isolation and making use of the numerous purposes of technological innovation in the course of the pandemic to aid this assert. “We then chose a trouble to emphasis on, which was socializing throughout the pandemic, and started doing work on our answer,” stated Kwarteng. This way resulted in prototyping a virtual area for graduating college students to hook up.

When the office introduced the Human-Laptop Interaction minor, Kwarteng jumped at the prospect. The minor furnished a gateway to all the prospects he could examine in just the computer science big even though also sustaining adaptability.

“If I did not locate satisfaction in creating software package in a particular field, I could check out a new a single,” reported Kwarteng. “If I had an plan that I desired to convey to lifetime, I would have the applications and expertise to commence producing it.”

Acquiring his way

In significant school in Falls Church, Virginia, Kwarteng knew he wanted to go after engineering. Obtaining Virginia Tech as an in-condition option, he explained he was by natural means drawn to the program’s prestige. Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering has been consistently ranked as a foremost undergraduate program in the region.

As with most college students, stepping on to campus and obtaining a warm welcome served solidify Kwarteng’s determination. He felt even far more at household immediately after studying about the UJIMA Dwelling-Understanding Group, which he would later be a part of. UJIMA areas a special emphasis on knowledge the exceptional encounters of Black and African American people today in modern society, including their faculty journeys. 

Kwarteng joined a wide range of campus golf equipment to fulfill far more men and women and categorical himself academically, culturally, and socially. He cites joining the National Modern society of Black Engineers (NSBE) as one of the finest selections he manufactured. 

Kwarteng admits that this was 1 of the greatest decisions primarily based on imposter syndrome. “I in the beginning experienced a tricky time convincing myself that I belonged in this software, but NSBE permitted me to overcome that,” he explained. “I spoke to learners that have been in related cases to me, who also shared comparable backgrounds. This made it a whole lot easier to see myself in an engineering field put up-graduation.”

He also credits the modern society for supporting profession advancement by internet hosting different resume-building workshops and business classes that proved valuable in the course of recruiting seasons. “Right after collaborating in these gatherings, I never ever expert issue receiving interviews from top providers. I felt like I understood what corporations had been on the lookout for and how to highlight my skills,” stated Kwarteng.

Inspired by his Ghanaian heritage, Kwarteng turned energetic in Virginia Tech’s chapter of the African Scholar Affiliation, a multicultural pupil team internet hosting campuswide gatherings these kinds of as Taste of Africa, which built residence feel a very little significantly less far absent.

He and his mothers and fathers were born in Kumasi, Ghana. The loved ones moved to Falls Church when he was 1 decades outdated. “In the beginning, we experienced no property, no earnings, and at a single stage, no household,” explained Kwarteng. “My mother worked relentlessly and eventually grew to become a nurse, making our situation superior.”

Witnessing his mother’s endeavours inspired Kwarteng to choose his education extremely severely. “Below I am today, on keep track of to staying the first member of my family to get a bachelor’s degree.”

Increasing to the obstacle

Never ever 1 to shy absent from a new knowledge, Kwarteng embraced the opportunities the School of Engineering offered with its Increasing Sophomore Abroad Software via the Office of Engineering Instruction. In addition to the spring world Science, Technological know-how, Education and learning, and Math apply course, Kwarteng did a two-week international module in Spain and Morocco. “Participating in this plan gave me insights into pc science prospects outdoors of the United States,” he reported.