After graduating from University with a double major in Math-Statistics and Japanese language and culture along with a minor in Actual Mathematics, I realized that more than anything in the world I wanted to become a software developer. This started my journey to becoming a self-taught software engineer. I spent my nights and weekends studying and building because I believed it would lead me to the future I wanted.
I believe if you are determined, almost nothing is impossible. Because of this mindset, I decided that I was going to hone my skills as a software developer and achieve certification in Japanese language proficiency at a business level. It took me roughly three years of dedicated practice to acquire enough small project work experience and to pass the JLPT N2.
After I passed the JLPT, I gave away everything I owned and moved to Japan with the intention of finding a job once I arrived. Upon arrival though, I began talking with a friend of mine in the states and we decided to start a company together, Pomelo Productions. At the time I did not realize it, but this decision would have a profound impact on my life.
Since I was the co-founder of our company I could decide where I worked from. So for the next two years while we were together in the company I lived all over the world picking up new languages along the way. I have always been interested in other cultures, and living as a digital nomad has helped me to gain a better understanding of how people live around the world. From Kazakstan to Taiwan, Spain to Georgia, I've had the chance to make friends all over the world and in doing so I believe I have gained new skills in being able to effectively work with a diverse range of individuals.
Eventually I decided to step back into an advisory role in our company and pursue work elsewhere, which lead me to my job at BriteCore. I worked there for four years starting off as a Python developer, becoming a team lead, then a DevOps team lead, and eventually a DevOps Engineering Manager. I am profoundly grateful for the time that I was at BriteCore, but all good things must come to an end and I decided in January of 2022 to return to the company I co-founded to try my hand again at freelance work.
I've now spent the past year working on personal projects and doing various freelance projects. I've gotten the opportunity to create a Kubernetes based architecture for one client, and I also got to build a digital economy social media styled company using Microsoft Azure.