Evan Ruan

What is your role within robotics?

I am the code lead.

How did you get interested in robotics?

I have had a huge interest in coding, one of the first programming languages I learned was Python. However, first I actually started learning it with Java when I did a class with College for Kids at Coe College. I got more interested because of that. Currently, I work with Java here, but on my own time, I actually work with binary. 

What has been your most memorable experience within robotics?

Probably my first ever year with this team, that was sophomore year. That was the year that we went to state and I was really happy about that because that was the second to last [competition round before] world. If you heard last week Mr. Bacon talked about our placing first in the state, 63rd in the world and I’m really happy about that as well. I have a good feeling that we’re gonna get to see it again this year. 

What would you say to someone interested in joining robotics? 

Want to learn code? Honestly though, with what I tell someone, if you’re interested in learning code, this is not a bad place to start.

Do you see yourself pursuing a career related to what you do here?

It’s up in the air. I kind of want to be a game developer. However, that means I have to learn how to use [the coding language] C++ because that’s what’s commonly used in that field, which is a different programming language similar to Java, but not very. C++ is one of the most different languages to learn. 

Anything else you want to add?

People like to think that coding is something for introverts. [It’s] far from it. I may be an introvert, [but] I consider myself more of an ambivert because of this. But being on a robotics team or anything coding-related, you are going to be working with people all the time.