Ezekiel Allen’s Journey from Mario Kart to Computer Engineering
Not every path starts with a plan. For Ezekiel Allen, a Computer Engineering major at Virginia State University, the journey was less about having everything figured out, and more about following the sparks of joy and curiosity that showed up along the way.
Adolescence: A Love for Games Is Born
Ezekiel’s first spark? Mario Kart 64. “My dad introduced it to me and my twin brother. We played whenever we had the chance,” he says. “Even as we got older, we kept playing different versions. It reminded me that joy doesn’t really leave you, it just evolves.” Growing up in Nottoway, VA, video games weren’t just a hobby for Zeke, they were an outlet. That joy eventually planted the seed for a career, even if he didn’t know it yet.
High School: No Map, No Mentors
If you asked teenage Ezekiel what he’d be doing after graduation, college wouldn’t have been his first answer. “I didn’t really see myself going to college. Maybe the military.” There weren’t many resources available. “There were no mentors and barely any programs in Nottoway. The environment felt negative, like there was no one to look up to, just people looking down on you.” Besides a leadership program called Call Me Mister that helped develop young men into role models, for the most part, Ezekiel had to guide himself.
College Decisions: Choosing Joy Over Doubt
When it came time to choose a path, Ezekiel made a bold choice: college.
“I didn’t overthink it. I picked something that matched what I liked: video games.” That led him to Computer Engineering, where he’s now building and studying the technology that powers the systems he grew up loving. “I work more on the hardware side, things like CPUs, memory, and circuits. It’s hands on and technical. We use C, C++, Python, and work on embedded systems like game consoles and drones.”
College Life: Confidence Through Creating
Despite early doubts, Ezekiel kept showing up. He’s completed a research internship on thermoelectric generators, devices that turn heat into energy. “I always doubted myself in the tech field. That internship helped me shake that.” He’s also built projects like a CGPA calculator in C++ and a personal version of Wordle in Python. “They might seem small, but they gave me confidence. I’m learning what I’m capable of.”
Words of Advice to the Next in Line
“Reach out to someone who’s just a grade ahead of you. I wish I had done that. And don’t worry if you don’t have it all figured out yet. You have time.” His journey is proof that joy can lead the way, and that where you come from doesn't determine where you're going.
You can connect with Ezekiel on LinkedIn below.
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