Computer Science
Biography
My name is Ethan Crall, and I am a Computer Science student in the 2026 Cohort of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program (Heath IBEP). Since middle school, I've always known that I wanted to be an engineer. My passion for math, problem-solving, and understanding the world around me—particularly in technology—set me on this path.
During my junior year of high school, I took an engineering class and began working on robotics projects. This experience was transformative. The complex problems I tackled while coding gave me a sense of purpose. The gratification of achieving the end result after hours of challenging work was profoundly rewarding. Just one month into programming, I knew I had found my calling in engineering. Coding keeps me motivated, challenges me to adapt, and significantly enhances my critical thinking skills.
My decision to join Heath IBEP stems from my understanding of the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and networking in the professional world. Team projects during my freshman year at the University of Tennessee allowed me to recognize my valuable leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. However, I also realized areas where I needed improvement; this led me to Heath IBEP. I saw that not only could I contribute significantly to project teams but also learn from my peers for personal growth. The intersection of business and engineering is crucial in the corporate world. Engineers turn ideas into creations while business experts help turn inventions into products. Heath IBEP brings these two strong groups together into a cohort that learns from each other to better prepare for their careers—and I wanted to be part of it.
This past Summer 2024, I worked as a Software Engineering Intern at ReliaQuest within the cybersecurity industry. This internship was extremely valuable as it confirmed my desire to pursue a career in software development. While there, I applied skills developed through Heath IBEP such as project management, public speaking, and multidisciplinary collaboration while working closely with Senior Software Engineers. For my next internship, I'd love to continue working in software while exploring more diverse roles to broaden my experience and strengthen my skills.
My passion for technology spans multiple fields including:
- Software Engineering
- Robotics
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning (ML)
- Computer Graphics & Visualization
- Cybersecurity
I aim to narrow down my primary area of focus through additional internships with hopes of eventually working in industries such as transportation, automotive, or manufacturing.
