Aiden Killen

About

I am a dedicated and ambitious student currently pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC), with an expected graduation date of 2028. My goal is to integrate advanced mathematical principles into cutting-edge technologies, with a particular focus on AI and computer modeling. I also plan to pursue a master’s degree in both fields, positioning myself at the forefront of innovation in computational solutions and applied mathematics.

Alongside my degree programs, I am working towards a certification in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Applications at TAMUCC, which will complement my technical knowledge and open doors in emerging technologies. My technical skills include multivariable calculus, differential equations, C++, Python, MATLAB, AutoCAD, and HTML, with upcoming studies in partial differential equations, advanced differential equations, discrete mathematics, real analysis, complex analysis, and more. These skills have equipped me with the tools to approach complex problems from both a computational and mathematical perspective.

In addition to my studies, I have honed my professional skills through various work experiences. Over two years at Home Depot, I developed leadership skills and earned a reputation for reliability and hard work. I was offered a supervisor position upon turning 18 due to my dedication, and was later recruited by Alta based on the high regard my former manager had for my work ethic. This role further strengthened my ability to work efficiently under pressure and collaborate with others to achieve team goals.

Currently, while balancing my academic commitments, I work at Take5 Oil Changes, where I apply my problem-solving abilities and commitment to quality service in a fast-paced environment. My experiences in customer service, leadership, and team collaboration have shaped me into an adaptable professional, able to handle multiple responsibilities while maintaining a strong focus on efficiency and quality.

As I continue my academic and professional journey, I am excited to apply the intersection of mathematics, computer science, and my work experience to tackle real-world challenges, particularly in AI and simulation. I look forward to connecting with like-minded professionals and exploring opportunities to contribute to the future of technology and mathematical modeling. 

Experiences

PDE #1

I went to an event called Supercompute in Colorado, where I had the chance to talk with my dad’s software engineering team and learn more about what they do in the supercomputing world. They explained how their work supports massive computing systems used for things like scientific research and data analysis, and I got to see how complex and important their projects really are. I also learned about the different career paths in this field, from writing and optimizing software to working with hardware and big data. This experience connects to the Career Readiness Competency of Career & Self-Development because it helped me start thinking more seriously about my future and what skills I might want to work on if I go into tech. It also relates to Critical Thinking, since their work involves solving complicated problems on a really big scale.

PDE #2

I had a phone call with my dad where we talked about his work in the supercomputing field and what the industry is like. He walked me through how supercomputers are used for things like scientific research, weather forecasting, and artificial intelligence, and explained the role software engineers play in making sure these systems work efficiently. He also shared what his day-to-day looks like and the types of projects his team takes on, which helped me understand how broad and impactful the field really is. This conversation relates to the Career Readiness Competency of Career & Self-Development because it gave me a better idea of the opportunities in tech and motivated me to think about how I can start preparing for a similar path. It also connects to Critical Thinking since the field involves constantly solving complex problems in creative and logical ways.

(It was a phone call so I don’t particularly have a photo of it. In place of it, I have a photo of how a Fourier transform works on sound waves.)

PDE #3

I honestly forgot to do something for my PDE #3, to be honest though this way cooler and far more valuable, so, for my final experience, I’m using a physics field trip I went on to NASA in Florida, where we got a behind-the-scenes tour and had the incredible opportunity to meet with one of the leaders of a major NASA division—though I can’t remember her exact title. We toured places like the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), visited the Swamp Works lab, and got to have dinner with her and her husband, where we talked about the work she does, the different branches of NASA, and the goals they’re currently working toward. During the visit, we learned how even the tiniest details can affect rocket design and performance, which really showed me how complex and collaborative space exploration is. This experience ties into the Career Readiness Competencies of Career & Self-Development and Critical Thinking, as it helped me better understand what goes into engineering at a high level and got me thinking about the kind of work I’d like to be a part of in the future.

Reflective Overview

The NACE Career Readiness Competencies are essential for helping students transition from academic settings to the workforce. These competencies—work ethic, communication, critical thinking, career management, and digital technology—serve as the foundation for developing the necessary skills to succeed in the professional world. As a freshman who is managing a demanding schedule, balancing a full-time job at an oil change shop, and pursuing a double major in computer science and mathematics with a minor in physics, my life this semester has been a series of stressful, often overwhelming experiences. However, despite the challenges, I believe I have made progress in developing these five competencies. In this reflective overview, I will discuss how my experiences have contributed to my growth in these areas, and how I plan to continue refining these skills in the future.

Work Ethic

Work ethic refers to the dedication, responsibility, and dependability required to meet personal and professional goals. As a freshman in college working 45 hours per week at an oil change shop, I’ve had to learn quickly how to manage my time and energy in order to survive the semester. Between the grueling hours at work and trying to keep up with coursework, my work ethic has been tested daily.

One specific example that highlights my development in work ethic occurred during a particularly rough week when I was juggling a 12-hour shift at the shop with an exam week for my classes. It felt like everything was crashing down on me—my body was exhausted, and I hadn’t had time to study properly for the upcoming tests. In that moment, I made a choice to push through and keep working, even when I felt like quitting. I stayed up late every night, squeezing in study time whenever I could. The result wasn’t perfect, but I managed to pass my exams and get positive feedback from my manager about my consistent work at the shop. The fact that I didn’t give up during such a draining period stands as evidence of my growing work ethic.

Communication

Effective communication is essential in both professional and academic settings. Throughout this semester, I’ve had to communicate with my coworkers at the oil change shop, professors, and even strangers just to maintain some semblance of a social life. However, I’ll admit that communication hasn’t always been smooth, especially when I was stressed out or overworked.

An example of my development in communication came when I was asked to train a new coworker at the shop. At first, I felt uncomfortable explaining things because I was worried I wasn’t doing it perfectly myself. But, after a few awkward attempts, I realized that simplifying my explanations and being patient helped the new employee understand the process better. I also had to ask for help when I wasn’t sure about something, which wasn’t easy, but it showed me that communication is a two-way street. Evidence of my improvement can be seen in the way my manager started assigning me more responsibilities in training new staff.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is about analyzing problems, evaluating options, and making informed decisions. Given my work schedule and the complexity of my studies, I’ve often had to make quick decisions without the luxury of reflection. Whether it was fixing a mistake at work or figuring out a way to survive a particularly brutal week, I learned to evaluate the situation, weigh my options, and act quickly.

A prime example of this happened one day at work when we ran out of a key oil change product, and I had to figure out a way to make up for it without delaying customers. I quickly analyzed my available options, spoke with my coworkers, and found a temporary workaround. It wasn’t ideal, but it kept things running smoothly. I’m not sure if this is “textbook” critical thinking, but in that moment, I made a choice that saved time and kept the shop efficient. The feedback from my manager, who praised my initiative, showed me that I was developing the ability to think critically in a fast-paced environment.

Career Management

Career management involves understanding your skills, setting career goals, and taking proactive steps to reach them. With my hectic schedule, managing my career has often felt like the last thing on my mind. However, this semester I made a conscious effort to look beyond the immediate chaos and think about my future.

A key moment in my career management development came when I realized that my long hours at work weren’t just draining me physically but were also preventing me from gaining relevant experience for my future career. I decided to start researching internship opportunities and reached out to a few organizations about shadowing their software development teams. While I didn’t land any internships yet, the fact that I took the initiative to think about my career path despite my overwhelming schedule shows growth in my ability to manage my professional development. I’ve attached the emails I sent to the companies as evidence of my attempt to manage my career despite my busy schedule.

Digital Technology

The digital technology competency involves using technology to solve problems, complete tasks, and enhance productivity. As a double major in computer science and mathematics, digital technology should be my strength. However, this semester, I’ve struggled to apply digital tools in a way that aligns with my current responsibilities outside of class.

One example of how I’ve improved in using digital technology occurred when I was tasked with organizing the shop’s inventory system. Despite having little experience with database management, I decided to build a simple spreadsheet system to track inventory levels and product orders. While it wasn’t as sophisticated as it could have been, the system helped my coworkers stay on top of stock. Even though I’ve struggled to apply more complex technology solutions at work, this experience shows that I am beginning to learn how to use digital tools in a practical, real-world setting. The inventory sheet I created is attached as evidence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my experiences this semester—working long hours at an oil change shop while handling a heavy academic load—have been both exhausting and eye-opening. Despite the challenges, I’ve made significant strides in my career readiness development. My work ethic, communication, critical thinking, career management, and use of digital technology have all improved, though there’s still much work to be done. As I continue my journey in college, I will strive to build on these skills, knowing that they will be crucial for both my immediate survival and my long-term success. While it hasn’t been easy, I now feel more confident in my ability to manage my responsibilities and look toward a future in my chosen career fields of computer science and mathematics.

Projects

This was my first year seminar project. I had to make a mentorship program that took down users information and matchd them with a graduate student or an undergraduate student as part of a mentorship program. It was written using an Excel library for python and the TKinter library in python.

I'm not just experienced with computers, I'm also pretty mechanically inclined, this was a photo my friend took of me one night as I was tearing apart my suspension to install brand new upgraded upper control arms as well as brand new tie rods since the last ones were shot as well as to accomodate for my current 6.5 inch lift kit and the 3 inches of extra I will be adding to put on 40 inch tires in the new future.

This was a semi-nasty hyperbolic trig integral I was able to evaluate using U-sub and partial fractions. That being said I don't remember exactly where it was but I know I made a minor error dropping a number somewhere or something of the sorts in the integration.