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Dear John,
So many people come to OCW and use it in so many ways. I’d like to share with you how OCW helped Wyatt Arent transform his life.
Wyatt grew up in Virginia in a very traditional family that did not support his native interest in science and technology. Disapproving of his dreams for the future, his parents refused to pay for his college education.
Recognizing that his prospects were dimming, Wyatt left home soon after earning his GED. He was homeless for a time and scraped by as best he could. He spent a lot of time in public libraries, where he found he could satisfy his burning desire to learn.
Finding OCW
He read a lot about computer programming—one of his lifelong interests. He discovered some OCW videos on YouTube—an Eric Demaine lecture on algorithms and a Tom Leighton lecture on mathematics for computer science. He saw that these videos were part of larger course sites on OCW: 6.046 Introduction to Algorithms and 6.042J Mathematics for Computer Science. Both courses, Wyatt told us, “helped reinforce what I already knew a little bit, but they also built on these critical areas where I had serious gaps in knowledge.”
Working as a Programmer in the Real World
He was able to find work as a programmer, but he knew he needed to learn about programming in a deeper way.
“I realized that I really needed to solidify my theoretical knowledge because, as a self-taught programmer, I knew I had limitations. There are certain fundamental aspects to programming, which if you understand them and you can think about them critically, you can evaluate more effectively what it is that you're trying to execute on. And then you can focus on creating higher quality things”
Using OCW helped Wyatt develop a deeper understanding of the theory behind programming, and it helped him fill in the gaps in his self-constructed curriculum.
Applying at Google
Feeling more confident, he set his sights high. He began to wonder if he might be able to work at Google. Wyatt applied. In his interview, he mentioned the OCW courses he had worked through. The interviewers were impressed with his dedication. It showed character, they said.
Wyatt got the job, despite having never graduated from college. Now he has the privilege of working with and learning from many very smart people every day.
I hope Wyatt’s story inspires you as much as it does us. Please donate to OCW today so that other bright learners like Wyatt can continue to use OCW to improve their lives.
A donation in any amount, large or small, makes a difference! If you have already contributed during this campaign, thank you for helping us get closer to our goal!
Sincerely,
Cecilia d'Oliveira
Associate Dean of Digital Learning
MIT OpenCourseWare
P.S. Please also encourage your friends, colleagues and family to support OCW during this campaign. |
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