Stories from the Hackery

Brett Derrington graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

I love learning new things, exploring new places, and getting better at the things I already do. This is certainly reflected in the hobbies I pursue on my own time: Tennis, reading, video games, and traveling. Software development and programming and fields that are always moving forward and changing, and that excites me to no end.

Sam Johnson graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

UX designer turned developer, I'm interested in user-centered design and learning new things.

Gib Jeffries graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

I have a passion for building things. There is a game-like satisfaction that I get from getting something to work. It's also an honest way to make a living. In the last five years of working with automated equipment and robots, I've become increasingly interested in web development. Why? Every time I would think about the best way to solve a problem in the manufacturing world, I found myself dreaming up a software solution. I've really enjoyed the Agile-SCRUM style group work at NSS. I often find myself focusing on the data flow, and I enjoy debugging code with my classmates.

Gavin Schriver graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

Hailing from Houston TX, home of everyone's favorite sports franchises. Flirted with the tech world ever since graduating as an English major, including stints at startups in Austin and Chicago, but it's getting pretty serious between us recently. Pastimes include faking jazz (will play for open bar tab) and going for long runs whenever my body isn't totally failing me.

Mark Skinner graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

After many years of working as a library manager serving in public-facing and managerial roles, I wanted a change. Working in that sector gave me valuable experience in problem-solving, team building, and goal-oriented work, whether individually or within a group. These lessons, combined with my lifelong love of technology and computing, have allowed me to combine my curiosity, problem-solving skills, and ability to work within a team in order to make tangible improvements to applications and websites. I am excited to begin this new career and see where the many opportunities in software development take me.

Jacob Eckert graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

My initial motivation for starting to learn about code came from a desire to see if programming languages were at all akin to spoken languages, as I have always been very interested in foreign languages. While I quickly found there to be quite large differences between the two, learning programming languages allowed me to access a part of me that I previously did not know existed - a part of me that loves thinking about complex problems, then using the language of code to communicate my solutions to those problems, and finally putting those solutions into action. Strengthening my programming knowledge and skills in college, in employment, and in personal projects has only served to cement my love of software development, and I know it is a passion I will carry with me throughout my whole life.

Mikayla Swinkels graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

From Zookeeper to Software Developer, I have always loved solving puzzles and creating new things that I can stand back and say "Ya I made that". When a friend of mine introduced me to Nashville Software School I realized that I can have the best of both worlds. I am able to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable and create amazing programs and designs that I can look back and be proud of. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow as a software developer.

Esther Sanders graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

I've worked as a violinist and teacher for over a decade and was drawn to software development because of the many similarities to music. I love learning, continually refining skills, problem solving, and attention to detail. I have many years of experience self starting, dissecting large problems into smaller parts, and communicating complex ideas.

Samantha Maas graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

Prior to starting my journey in software development, I was working in the education field as an elementary teacher. I am grateful for the experiences that being a teacher gave me, including the ability to mentor students, being able to solve problems on the spot, and collaborating with a team to achieve goals. After relocating to Nashville and being introduced to the software community, I felt that software development was the perfect career path for me to continue using some of the skills important to teaching, while also using the new passion that I found I have for coding. I'm excited to continue on this path that guarantees opportunities to learn and to grow in my abilities every single day.

Chris Johnson graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

I have always had a love for all things tech, and have a strong curiosity about how things work. One memory that still cracks me up a little is my dad would get mad at me for taking the RAM out of his computer to put in the family PC on the weekends after my parents went to bed so I could play cooler games. I was a combat medic in the US Army for 8 years. During those years I learned so much about myself, and how important teamwork is. The opportunity to work in this industry is really a dream come true for me. I am excited for a life full or learning, and a life full of loving my new career path.