Kofi Mason

Bachelor of Science in General Studies | Old Dominion University

Personal Narrative Essay

How I Would Introduce Myself Professionally

My name is Kofi Mason, and I am a senior at Old Dominion University completing a Bachelor of Science in General Studies. Through my coursework, internships, and hands-on engineering experiences, I developed a strong interest in the full lifecycle of flight technologies, from research and development to testing and implementation. Although my academic path has been nontraditional, starting in computer engineering before transitioning to a broader interdisciplinary degree, it has given me a strong technical foundation and taught me how to approach problems from multiple perspectives. I’m especially interested in collaborative engineering environments where I can combine technical problem-solving with clear communication to improve processes and contribute to innovative work in aerospace.

Key Experiences That Shaped My Path

Before switching to General Studies, I spent three years studying Computer Engineering. One defining experience was working as a Laboratory Assistant at Virginia State University, teaching students how to safely turn 3D designs into physical parts. Another was my summer research internship at Virginia Tech’s Nonlinear Systems Laboratory (NSL), where I conducted Air Data Unit (ADU) Dynamic Response Testing and earned my FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Additionally, during my technical internships at Northrop Grumman in the Request Management Office and Performance Intelligence Team, I maintained critical technical documentation, supported server solution validation, and resolved workflow blockages for enterprise infrastructure—confirming my passion for managing complex technical systems.

What I Learned Along the Way

These experiences taught me that engineering is at its best when it’s collaborative. During my internships at Northrop Grumman, I saw that solving workflow challenges and creating effective technical documentation required not only problem-solving skills but also strong communication and teamwork. My academic journey also taught me the value of adaptability across tools like MATLAB, Python, Arduino, and C++.

Where I Am Headed

Looking ahead, I hope to build a career in aerospace engineering. After graduation, my goal is to transition into full-time engineering and operations roles in the defense or aerospace industry, bridging the gap between software, hardware, and physical system operations.

AI Disclosure: I utilized ChatGPT to point out grammar issues in writing this personal narrative essay.