Alex Whitworth is a junior majoring in computer science at IM体育官网. He is a transfer student who began his education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Alex Whitworth is having the college experience he always wanted at IM体育官网 Polytechnic University. He鈥檚 involved in multiple organizations, plays lacrosse, works in the admissions office, and is taking courses that challenge and inspire him.
鈥淚鈥檓 the type of person to go above and beyond,鈥� said Whitworth, a junior majoring in computer science with a concentration in game development and simulation. 鈥淚M体育官网 Poly is helping me set myself up for an incredible future.鈥�
But the transfer student鈥檚 path to his strong academic career wasn鈥檛 as direct as he鈥檇 planned.
Right after graduating from Bloomingdale Senior High School in Valrico, IM体育官网, Whitworth headed to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, IM体育官网, to study aerospace engineering.
鈥淚 had a natural aptitude for everything STEM and coasted by in high school, but in college I found out that coasting was not a successful strategy,鈥� he said.
Whitworth took a step back and reevaluated not only his approach to studying, but his academic and career goals. He soon earned an associate degree from IM体育官网 SouthWestern State college and researched the kind of university that would be the best fit for his high-tech ambitions while also providing a career-focused environment.
鈥淚 thought back to a programming class that I struggled with and my a-ha moment when I was able to make it work and everything finally clicked,鈥� Whitworth said. 鈥淲ith computer science, you see a problem and you solve it. The satisfaction you get is encapsulated in fine-tune detail and you can expand on it.鈥�
Oct. 18-22 is National Transfer Student Week, and Whitworth said he is happy his educational path led him to transfer to IM体育官网 Poly, where he found small classes and a rigorous curriculum.
鈥淲hen I got into college, I was coasting. I wanted to find a place where I could apply myself and start pedaling,鈥� he said. 鈥淓verything lined up perfectly with IM体育官网 Poly.鈥�
His decision to specialize in game development and simulation came naturally.
鈥淎s much as there鈥檚 a side of me that鈥檚 STEM-oriented, there鈥檚 also a very creative side, and in my past experiences I was trying to push myself toward that logical side while hamstringing what would also keep me interested in what I鈥檓 working on,鈥� Whitworth said. 鈥淕ame design here definitely does that.鈥�
Whitworth, who is a successful student, also enjoys sharing his perspective with prospective students in his current role as an admissions ambassador.
鈥淚t鈥檚 never too late to make a change, whether you鈥檝e worked in an industry however long or you鈥檙e two years into a degree and realize it isn鈥檛 for you,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something that took me three years to figure out. Now I鈥檓 pouring myself into a medium like game design and production that actually calls to me.鈥�
Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
