Stories from the Hackery

Kayla Melton graduated with Web Development Evening Cohort 11.

I began working with code while I was studying graphic design at Austin Peay State University (APSU). I thoroughly enjoyed the process of creating websites, and after graduating, I took a job in print design while continuing teaching myself to code in my free time. A friend introduced me to the Nashville Software School a few months later and I began attending classes in January 2020.

John Fleming graduated with Web Development Evening Cohort 11.

In my day job, I manage a client success team at marketing company in the tech industry, but I'm making the leap to software engineering so I can do more of the hands on work creating awesome user interfaces and solving problems through technology.

Luke Zvada graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

Previously working in the music industry as a tour manager, I learned how to solve issues on the go, organize a complicated schedule, and manage team morale. Through that hard work, I have found a new passion for software development. Having strong attributes such as problem solving, dependability, and efficiency, I have embraced this new opportunity in tech and continue to learn and grow as a software developer every day.

Colin Welshofer graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

I am an aspiring full-stack developer who has recently discovered my love of coding and am wanting to make a career of it.

Bryan Ford graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

Prior to starting at Nashville Software School, I spent six years working in corporate tax. During this time, I found myself becoming the go-to person in the department for leveraging technology to improve processes to provide quicker and more accurate numbers throughout multiple areas. This led me to become interested in the development side of the software I was using and, I have now found a new field that I believe utilizes my attention to detail and problem solving abilities that I have developed during the course of my previous career.

Monica Kay Provence graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

I am an extremely creative, solution-oriented software developer with a passion for helping others. Before pursuing a career in development, I worked in Education and Healthcare. During my last year of working in Healthcare, I became interested in software development. I immediately recognized that software development was the perfect combination of creative and strategic problem solving, and I was hooked! I love development because it allows me to be my natural self - curious, creative, and thoughtful. I look forward to starting my career as a developer.

Dylan Rowe graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

I am a full-stack developer with a background in the music industry, not only on the artist side but also in pro audio sales and installation. My interest in programming originally stemmed from the idea of doing something in life that combined both logical thinking and creativity. Through research and suggestions I set out on a life changing career path that I can keep growing with.

Michael Baumer graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

During my nearly 20 years in the retail industry, I had the opportunity to work in every role from associate to upper level management. While I love leading teams and developing talent, my true passion was always the problem solving aspects of my role. After supporting the corporate office with numerous tech projects and watching changing dynamics in the retail sector, I knew it was time to follow my heart and learn development so I could do what I love full-time.

Ardis Tilson graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

Inventive and tenacious full stack developer with a wide base of experience in team-oriented project implementation, data cataloging, numerical problem solving, and analysis of customer demands to maximize sales and productivity. I gravitate towards positions requiring problem-solving, lateral thinking, and careful attention to detail. Signal processing is my passion. I spend much of my free time studying and conducting experiments in analog-to-digital conversion with Arduino microcontrollers and visual DSP languages such as Max/MSP and Puredata. I capitalize on this experience by repairing, modifying, and selling sound modules. I am now searching for opportunities to apply my skills to problems in the realm of software rather than hardware in order to expand my knowledge of the digital side of signal processing and amass further coding experience in a workplace dedicated to application design.

Pete Stewart graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

After managing to survive a declining music industry and maintain a successful career as a producer and engineer for several years, I made a life-changing decision to change paths and pursue software development. I've always been fascinated by technology and programming, having built computers and written countless workflow-improving macros during my career of constantly using audio software, so the switch in direction was a natural one. One of the most exciting aspects of my journey to becoming a developer has been discovering the many similarities in skillsets required to produce music and to write code. I love being able to use my creative and problem-solving abilities in the entire process of building, designing and improving software. Learning to program has given me a renewed sense of satisfaction and inspiration, as well as a strong desire to always continue acquiring more knowledge and skills.