Alexander J. Kerkhoven

First using a computer at just 3 years old to watch Youtube on my dad's old desktop PC, I've grown up my whole life using technology. Needless to say, technology, math, science, and engineering are strong passions, and I truly love doing all that I can with them.

At Empire High School, I completed a 3-year Engineering CTE program partnered with University of Arizona. While the first year was a precursory high school level class, the latter 2 years of this program were college-level Engineering CTE courses ENGR-101 and ENGR-102 provided through the University of Arizona worth 3 credit-hours total.

From this program, I learned a whole toolbox of skills through practical experience. Some hands-on skills I've learned include things such as soldering, welding, schematizing, PCB design & construction, and simple metallurgy. Additionally, through dozens of group projects, I've also grown to be more adept with social skills, project management, and iterative design practicing skills, such as delegation, organization, communication, and reciprocation regularly. Along with these skills, this program has allowed me to become CAD certified for the Fusion 360 program, and CTE certified by the state of Arizona.

As a hobby outside of high school, I would design and assist in building personal computer systems for people. I would take into account aspects such as usage, performance, and budget before designing systems with parts that would satisfy the person's desired specifications. Through this, I was able to further substantiate my technological experience and ability by being able to both practice and apply my knowledge in the real world in a way that let me work with people and help them in the process.