The fact that virtually nothing on the web could be visible without front-end languages like HTML and CSS makes having these skills highly underrated in my opinion. With everything moving toward a heavier online presence these days, having a strong knowledge of the basic front-end languages is key.

My journey towards becoming a software and web developer started with some tinkering on free sites that taught the basics of HTML and CSS. I have since then expanded greatly upon that knowledge using other free resources as well as full-day bootcamps and my Tech Academy courses.

I know this stuff!

• HTML5
• CSS3
• Bootstrap

JavaScript is one of the most widely used programming languages, partly due to the fact that the JavaScript runtime library comes preinstalled on virtually every browser. Because it is also extremely versatile and able to support the front and back end, it only makes sense to strive to know as much as possible about the language.

JavaScript is the first algorithm based and object-oriented programming language that I have learned. I found that most free resources teach the syntax and rules very well, but I'm very excited to learn more about the actual applications for using it along with HTML and CSS as well as server-side functionality.

I know this!

• jQuery
• AngularJS
• D3js

Version control is a useful skill to have at any company where multiple revisions need to be made on a project and where there are many people working on the same thing at once. When writing computer programs, everything is dependent on the tiniest detail and one small error could create total chaos. With version control, every change is tracked and each version is saved so team members can more easily fix bugs and find the best and most efficient way to implement their program.

I have learned the theories and concepts behind version control from my education at The Tech Academy, and specifically using git and GitHub. I have also supplemented this knowledge with other resources like Udacity to make sure I have a solid grasp of it's use.

I know this!

• Theory and Concepts
• Command-line git
• GitHub

There are about a million reasons why it pays off to be well-informed on databases and SQL, since it seems like nearly every website is database-driven now. Knowing how to create, access and modify databases allows me to make or work on programs and projects that are data-driven as well as allow me access to a much wider field of employment.

Through The Tech Academy I learned a ton of stuff I didn't even know I wanted to know about how best to structure databases and form relationships between tables to get data efficiently. I plan to delve deeper into advanced techniques and concepts going forward, as database logic makes so much sense to me and I love organization.

I know this!

• Database Organization
• SQL
• SQL Server, SQLite, MySQL

Because Python is such a versatile and easy to use programming language, as well as extremely popular, I expect I will come across it quite often working as a developer. I can see how incredibly useful it would be for maintaining and automating tasks for an internal database with virtually ANY company. It also works in conjunction with other programming languages, and can be embedded inside much larger programs as a scripting language, which is really cool.

Before learning Python through Tech Academy I had heard from multiple people that Python was the programming language to learn, but I had no idea why that was (partly due to the fact that I’m new to the world of computer programming...). After learning how to create GUIs and access and manipulate databases using SQL through Python, I can now say that those two reasons alone make it worth the effort. Not only that, but it really is easy to learn and use as far as the basics. I know I’ll want to get way more in-depth with it going forward with my career.

I know this!

• Python 2.7 & 3.6
• Creating GUIs with Tkinter
• SQLite & MySQL database integration

C# is a multi-purpose Object-Oriented Programming language used with the .NET Framework to create desktop, mobile and web applications. It is one of the programming languages that complies with the standards and rules for compiling to CIL, which means it doesn't need to be written for a specific platform.

As far as OOP languages go, C# is simple to work with and I very much enjoyed learning to use this language with Visual Studio and the .NET Framework. I really enjoy using C# to create functionality on the server-side as well as implementing it and displaying data dynamically to the end-user.

I know this stuff!

• C# OOP
• LINQ and Lambda Expressions

The .NET Framework is Microsoft's collection of tools and infrastructure that allow developers to use several different languages and compile them all into a platform-neutral intermediate language so that it can run within the CLR on any Windows machine. As Microsoft is a fairly relevant company in Seattle, I can definitely see myself using the .NET Framework quite a bit in the future.

I believe I would really enjoy using C# and ASP.NET in my future career as a Software Developer, and I'm very proud to be able to say it's one of my skills. I really enjoy building something from the back end all the way through to what the user interacts with and being able to do so much more than just making it look cool. I'm excited to get started on some real-world projects!

I know this stuff!

• .NET Separation of Concerns
• ASP.NET Web Forms & MVC, ASP.NET Core
• Entity Framework, EF Core

I don't have too much experience with PowerPoint or OneNote, but I am proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and especially Excel. My previous two positions (covering the last 10 years) required me to work with Excel extensively, and I happen to be fantastic at making spreadsheets.

I can use these:

• Excel
• Outlook
• Word

Communication isn't just about talking to people or writing correspondence, it's making sure all parties are heard and understood. When working in teams, it's very important that everyone is on the same page and have a good rapport with each other to avoid problems.

My work experience as well as my degree in psychology gives me an excellent background in communicating effectively with others, both at work and in my personal life. I try hard to see both sides of any issue and be empathetic while still having confidence in my own knowledge and opinions.

I'm amazing at:

• Listening
• Clarification
• Open-mindedness
• Respect

Companies are only as good as their customers' satisfaction, so I know the importance of making sure they're happy. This doesn't only apply to the end consumer, but also companies who employ you to sell their product.

With over 10 years experience in roles related to dealing with customers (including as a customer service representative), I am very familiar with this concept.

I'm fantastic at:

• Problem-solving
• Negotiation
• Time management
• Positivity

I think it's a good idea to be well-rounded, which is why I always try to have balance in my life. I pride myself on being both creative and highly organized, as well as being able to give and take direction. I know when it's ok to chat with coworkers and when it's time to put my head down and get the job done.

I don't think it's realistic to think someone has to give up on creativity in order to be analytical and scientific. The main reason I'm drawn to programming is that it allows me to experience the best of both worlds!

I'm inherently great at:

• Attention to detail
• Organization
• Design sense

People tend to be more productive and a lot happier when they like the people they work with. I try to be easy to get along with and fun to be around, which isn't too difficult most of the time because I generally like people.

I also have lots to talk about around the water cooler: I have a ton of hobbies and interests - I play the ukulele and love to sing, I'm a fairly good knitter, and I play softball every spring/summer for the best co-rec league in Seattle (ISL). I also love powerlifting, and I've been a world-champion a few times!

Stuff I Love:

• Playing Music
• Knitting
• Powerlifting
• ISL Softball