When I completed a backend bootcamp at Turing School of Engineering, I knew I had gained the skills to make tools that will make a difference. My career background, coupled with my engineering skills, is something I'm excited everyday to utilize.
When I was a Legislative Aide for a Senator in Illinois. I witnessed firsthand how constituents struggled to keep up with legislation, while private sector technology advancements left the software I was using outdated. It became challenging to track constituent concerns and monitor the progress of bills. I spent a lot of time organizing bills in Excel sheets and even explored using AirTable, but those solutions didn't satisfy me.
Springfield Capitol Building
Subsequently, I transitioned to the private sector, initially joining a communications team and eventually becoming the head of communications for a small tech company in Denver. I thoroughly enjoyed working with a scrappy team and being the voice of the company. One of my proudest moments was when our team's efforts were recognized in the Wall Street Journal. However, due to the impact of Covid, the company had to lay me off and focus more on the technical aspects of the business. It was a devastating experience, but a conversation with my then CTO inspired me to believe in my potential as a developer.
I joined the Turing and spent several months absorbing vast amounts of information and quickly applying newly learned concepts. It's fair to say that I learned how to learn during my time at Turing!
My ultimate goal in this journey is to create tools and technologies that empower people. I have witnessed far too many individuals lose confidence in themselves simply because they don't consider themselves "tech-savvy." I aspire to gain more experience working in collaborative teams and eventually transition into the field of civic technology. By being part of this movement, I hope to contribute to changing the way the government interacts with the public for the better.
One significant step I will take is to write about my experiences and be a communicator for everything that I create.
