A few thoughts about STEM and the Chafetz Chaim
1) As far as STEM goes a computer major is probably well on the way of taking care of the obligation to learn the "work of Creation"
Rav
Zilverman the Rosh Yeshiva of Aderet Eliyahu in the old city of Jerusalem told
me once that learning engineering (electrical or other types) can be considered
as a part of what the Rambam calls "the work of creation."
2) The Sefer the Chafetz
Chaim is important to learn and to keep. I think I finished it
at least once with the notes at the bottom of the page. -but probably not more
than once.
At one point I believe I tried to get through every single book the Chafetz Chaim had written and probably got through a lot.
3) I am in fact very impressed with Kant though I did not have a chance to learn
him in high school when I was doing my philosophical research. I have to mention that Kant was saying something stronger than the
fact that human beings have a limit to their knowledge. He was saying pure
reason –reason totally abstracted away from people also has a limit where it
can not venture and if it does it comes up with self contradictions.
4) Simcha Zissel of Kelm. one of the disciples of Reb
Israel Salanter. held very strongly about this idea to have sessions in Torah that one does not deviate from at all.