Stories from the Hackery

Ashwin Prakash graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 29.

Being a musician for most of my life has led me to realize how much I love to learn and create. I have also been fascinated by technology since I was a child. When I went to college, I was unsure what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I decided to pursue Psychology because I was interested in helping people, and how people interact with the world around them. Despite my love for psychology I felt unsatisfied at my prospects after graduating and decided to focus on careers in technology. While nervous at first I applied to NSS and decided to make the leap into the world of programming. After spending 6 months I can safely say that I have never felt more at home and constantly challenged before. I am improving every day and excited to continue my journey in this field.

Justin Wheeler graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 29.

I have spent most of my life in sales either as an individual contributor or managing a team. However, I came to a point where I lost interest and passion for sales and decided to invest my focus in other areas. My entire life I had been driven by technology and my hobbies have always been centered around the same pursuits. I decided to take the leap and move towards my passion and pursue software development with the assistance of Nashville Software School to become a Full Stack Developer. I can honestly say I am happy with my choice. I am excited every day and looking forward to my next step.

Grady Robbins graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 29.

Hello, World! My path to NSS began in college, where I learned my first foreign language, Spanish. It was humbling and required immersion, persistence, and improving my listening skills. After college, I joined the Navy and saw the world. Two skills I explicitly remember during my first bootcamp experience were Teamwork and Discipline, which our Drill Instructor strongly encouraged us to say aloud during every. single. push-up. After the Navy, I was fortunate enough to learn Lean/Six Sigma Process Improvement and Data Driven Decision Making at Cardinal Health as an Operations Team lead and Data profiler. After deciding that one bootcamp experience wasn't quite enough, I enrolled in Nashville Software School and haven't looked back! I imagine myself inside the middle of a Venn-Diagram - joining all of my previous experiences that led me here, copious amounts of delicious NSS coffee, and the incredible opportunity to continue growing into the Nashville Tech Community, alongside a cohort of interesting and wildly talented people.

Austin Blade graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 29.

My journey to software development began as a graphic designer for a skateboarding company. Learning the art of design eventually lead me to start my own brand and venture into manufacturing clothing. While learning how to manage a business effectively, building a screenprinting facility, and going through college, I found my passion for building things. After an internship with a digital marketing agency, I gained a curiosity for development. That curiosity stuck, lead me to a job fixing software issues for a living, then to Nashville Software School where I learned to combine my interest in technology with my passion for building things.

Hannah Neal graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 29.

Curiosity is at the core of who I am and how I got here. I thrive in an environment that offers many opportunities for learning new things. I chose to pursue a career in the sciences for the sense of wonder it inspired and the idea that my curiosity would never be quenched. I dreamed of a laboratory career that celebrated non-stop learning and experimentation. After years of performing the same chemical tests over and over for clients, I came to the unhappy realization that I was not in the right industry. After some soul-searching, I found Nashville Software School and the career fit I was looking for. Software Development has endless opportunities for growth! As soon as I learn something new, I can implement it. I can always improve upon code and make a project better. My curiosity is sparked and quenched regularly. The world revolves around technology and promises to become ever more so dependent on it. I am pleased to be part of this exciting field!

Michael Holloway graduated with Part-time Data Science Cohort 2.

As a mathematician, I studied Möbius strips, hyperbolic spaces, and the Novikov Conjecture. These days, I'm interesting in applying the same analytical skills that served me throughout my PhD to the real-world challenges and opportunities posed by the abundance of data that now exists.

Binu Thomas graduated with Part-time Data Science Cohort 2.

Sergey Motorny graduated with Part-time Data Science Cohort 2.

I have a background in Data Science, Development and Operations (DevOps), and Machine Learning. Deadline, budget and quality-driven; Expert in delivering turn-key Data Science solutions with resilient, scalable, and user-friendly components. Published author - HICSS best paper nomination. Bi-lingual: English and Russian.

Alex Talbott graduated with Part-time Data Science Cohort 2.

I'm currently the Manager of Ecommerce Analytics at Smile Direct Club, an orthodontic technology startup in downtown Nashville. After six years of managing multi-million dollar Google Ad campaigns for companies like Marriott Hotels and Dun & Bradstreet, I transitioned to the data analytics side of the room. I use SQL & R in my daily work to clean, analyze, and deliver insights to my teammates in the marketing and digital departments.

Andrew Marsee graduated with Part-time Data Science Cohort 2.

I have a Master's in Mechanical Engineering and spent some time doing machine design as a mechanical engineer. But the part I enjoyed most about my schooling and jobs was any time I could do some programming. I found I have a passion for data science. I believe the use of data can transform just out about every company or organization by providing a basis for decision making. I'm always looking for ways to learn and improve my skills in the ever-changing world of data science.