Stories from the Hackery

Todd Spainhour graduated with Web Development Evening Cohort 11.

You're busy, so I'll make this quick. I'm learning web development so that I can create tools and resources to help make the world a better place. Let's build something.

Bethany Whitworth graduated with Web Development Evening Cohort 11.

I have worked in several different healthcare environments since 2012, but the software and technology have always been the most interesting part for me. I was trying to teach myself software and web development when I was introduced to Nashville Software School. Through NSS, I have learned so much more than I could have done on my own. I am excited to have an opportunity to change my career into something more fulfilling, and also into a field that is so integral to modern healthcare.

Beth Nielsen graduated with Web Development Evening Cohort 11.

I started my journey into software development with an introduction class into HTML, CSS, and Javascript. I was amazed by how much went into a website and loved being able to see the things I was typing turn into something more than I ever expected I could do. I'm currently enjoying learning new things about software development and tackling new challenges daily as I continue to learn.

Rebecca Parker graduated with Full-time Web Development Cohort 42.

Building things from the ground up has always been a passion of mine. I love the process of taking a problem, breaking it into pieces, coming up with a game-plan, and implementing it. Software-development is a way that I can continuously be building and learning new things while working in a team environment. My background as a small business owner means that I am able to view my work and others' as part of a larger whole and problem solve effectively.

Anca Simon graduated with Web Development Evening Cohort 11.

The ability to help solve big - and small - problems is what has drawn me to the software development role. In addition to my technical skills, I bring a wide variety of soft skills and business experience to the table. As a former liberal arts major, I have strong communication skills that have served me well throughout my professional career. As a technical writer, I ensured user adoption of new features by translating “dev speak” into meaningful documentation. As a business analyst, I collaborated with all roles to ensure our products, our teams, and our customers were successful. I recognize that the arc that starts with the backend developer and the UI team stretches through customer support and sales into the user’s routines and that a better understanding of this continuum makes for more effective and impactful software.

Michele Rawlins graduated with Web Development Evening Cohort 11.

There is that moment for each of us when we decide we are in control of our destiny. For me, that moment came later in life. I have always liked computers and would laugh that I never met a program I didn't like. That passion carried over when I was asked to help with a website for my daughters travel soccer club. I thought I had really done something. All I really did was fill in the blanks. A little later, I started looking at Austin Peay and considering a degree in computer technology. A friend told me about Nashville Software School, I took a jumpstart class and was hooked.

Aaron Lain graduated with Web Development Evening Cohort 11.

Computers have been a part of my life for as long as I could remember. I built my first PC when I was ten with parts handed down from my dad. But it wasn't until I installed Suse Linux 6.0 that I became hooked on the potential and beauty and mystery of technology. It was my only constant in a sea of ever-changing interests and passions throughout my life. Attending classes as NSS was like coming home after a long journey abroad.

John Johnson graduated with Web Development Evening Cohort 11.

Learning from the ground up how websites and applications work just blows my mind, in a good way! The structure, styling and functionality is fascinating. I personally love doing research on a subject and software development gives me countless opportunities to try and figure out solutions to problems and just numerous ways that it can be done.

Natalia Zemchikhina graduated with Part-Time Data Analytics Cohort 3.

My military background in finance and work experience at the Department of Veterans Affairs, solving various problems of clients and beneficiaries, made me realize there's always room for improvement: a better way to serve both internal and external customers, to be more efficient, to have a higher quality, etc. Data analysis enables continuous improvement through its measurements of performance. Data collection is a futile effort without Data analysis; therefore, I became a NSS student to learn the tools and knowledge that make it possible. I am detail-oriented, passionate and curious to continue learning the Data Analysis coding languages and new techniques to apply my knowledge in solving problems and finding solutions to enable leadership to make data driven decisions and achieve better results.

Jessica Morrison graduated with Part-Time Data Analytics Cohort 3.

As a little girl, I found joy reading the World Almanac and Facts book, watching Guinness World Records Primetime, and getting the highest score playing Jeopardy..against my family of course. As a Data Analyst, I would be able to turn my passion of learning and diving into data into a career where I could provide others with beneficial insights that could help the world around us. I am eternally grateful for NSS for they provided me with the tools that are needed to succeed. On my very spare time, I enjoy reading, playing tennis, following fashion and makeup trends, and of course watching Jeopardy.