Stories from the Hackery

Stephen Clark graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 30.

I am a software developer currently studying at at Nashville Software School. I was attracted to software development because I like solving puzzles of all kinds, and my logical mind enjoys the systematic nature of coding and debugging. There's nothing more satisfying than squashing a difficult bug. I enjoy development as it allows me to indulge both the analytical and creative sides of my personality.

My previous experience has been in teaching, editing and church leadership. A graduate of the University of Cambridge, I learn quickly and love to explore new concepts and ideas. I am a keen amateur musician and have composed a musical, directed a choir, led church worship and played in a jazz trio.

Ken Perkerwicz graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 30.

I made the move to Music City with ambition, humility, determination, and great resources to help my first career thrive. My initial intrigue with music technology progressed into areas outside of music, and leading me towards a new passion; web development. With the same determination, I have jumped head first into learning as much as I can about such a fascinating career field. I enjoy the challenges ahead and plan to take them head-on the same way as I've always done, with plenty of perseverance and a smile along the way.

Janet Woods graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 30.

My interest in software development stemmed from a need to improve efficiency and have information at my fingertips. I learned to merge data from different sources and extract it back in meaningful ways when needed using MS Access. It proved to be a great time-saver. It helped me to prioritize tasks, identify issues, and avoid the dreaded ‘critical and urgent’ scenario without cramping my brain.

I took this skill with me and used it effectively, at each new position.

Each new position came with the challenge of:

- ‘how do I manage the priorities of this position?’,

- ‘what metrics are used to define success?’, and:

- ‘how can I automate some of this?’

I looked forward to finding the answers to those questions and soon discovered that I liked automating processes and reports more than other aspects of my job.

Eventually I was compelled to pursue an IT degree, so I might be able to do that sort of thing for a living in my next life, that is: my life after the AGR (Active Guard Reserve) program. The work of pursuing the B.S. degree validated my direction and introduced me to other tools of the trade. I found out that I could enjoy that type of development process with other, more widely used, tools also. Now, while attending Nashville Software School, immersed as a software developer, I am gaining confidence with those tools and more.

Brian Neal graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 30.

Jack of All Trades turned Manager turned Software Developer. After a long journey through various jobs trying to find one that captures my attention and interest, I finally found software development! My analytical mindset immediately took to the problem solving and logic of software development. The more I learn about it, the more I want to keep learning. It's never ending and that's just one of the things I love about it. I have finally found something that is fun, challenging, and fulfilling all at once, and am excited to see what the future brings.

Kirren Covey graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 30.

In 2013, I moved to Tennessee to become a zookeeper, my dream job since childhood, and spent over 5 years dedicated to the daily care of animals at the Nashville Zoo. I was driven by my passion for animals and conservation. I loved caring for animals and educating the public about issues I care so much about, but I longed for greater intellectual challenge and more growth opportunities.

I'd heard developers in my life discussing their work, always excited by the challenges and problem-solving opportunities it presented. I was intrigued, and with a little investigation I quickly knew that this could be my forever career. I naturally have a logical thought process, enjoy problem solving, and it seemed my strengths in math and science could contribute to my success. What's more, software development presents the opportunity for a true lifetime of learning.

Excited by the potential to have a second career that I loved, but that would allow me more growth, I applied to and enrolled in Nashville Software School. I will be graduating in June 2019. I'm learning HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and C#/.NET, among other skills and tools. As expected, I'm being challenged and learning new things constantly. Most importantly, I'm truly having fun and enjoying the process! I remain passionate about animals and conservation, and look forward to finding ways to apply these new technical skills to those fields.

Justina Vickers graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 30.

As a natural problem solver, I have yearned for a career with room to grow and where the possibilities are endless. On a recommendation from my family, I started doing some research and worked on tutorials from CodeCademy and Udemy. Everything I learned about software made it the obvious choice. I joined the Jumpstart program at NSS, and fell in love. I then applied and was accepted into the 6-month course! I am lucky to have the opportunity to continually learn and grow with this career. The challenges motivate me to expand my knowledge, feed my creativity, and become a better developer.

Prafullata Sonawane graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 30.

Software developer with zeal for the IT industry and learning new technology.

To write code for software programs, solve real-world problems and provide software has always been my passion, this is exactly what I did for 5 years right after my graduation in computer science and engineering. I took time off to take care of my children. Currently pursuing a future in software development at Nashville Software School. Learning: JS, C#, .NET.

Mo Silvera graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 30.

Dynamic developer and thoughtful team leader committed to life long learning.

As a dev, I'm drawn to challenges, as a leader I prioritize communication. Whether its client facing, data heavy, or team oriented, I rise to meet the needs of every project and strive to do my best for the team.

Ryan Nelson graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 30.

Aspiring Junior Developer at Nashville Software School. Born and raised in Tennessee, I started working right out of high school, your typical 9-5 jobs. I felt like I didn’t have enough fulfillment. I began to remember my love of computers and programming that I had in back high school. Programming gave me the constant learning, and the continuous growth that I had been yearning for. I started using Dark Basic which leads me to find Unity Engine. My passion for development continued to grow with each technology I learned about. I began to ask around to find a good starting point, and I was told about NSS. I am excited to see where this journey takes me as a software developer.

Cole Bryant graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 29.

I'm no stranger to diving into complex problem domains and developing creative solutions. Working as an analyst at a healthcare valuation firm, I found myself eager to take on projects that involved manipulating data, researching challenging subjects and interacting with applications. I first began to explore programming as a way to optimize my analyses, but soon the world of software development began to reveal itself to me and I knew it was a path I couldn't ignore. I love having the opportunity to continually be learning and working in an environment where both attention to detail and an understanding of the larger scope are vitally important.