Final Words as an Array Student
Hired as a Junior Web Developer at West Edge Collective
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHAT YOU WERE DOING PRIOR TO ARRAY.
It took all of one semester at the University of Wyoming for me to decide that formal education was absolutely not for me. I stayed in Laramie and worked for a little over a year. Thrilled as I was to have my own space, I came to the shocking revelation that I didn’t want to work at Wal-Mart forever. I came back home to Cheyenne, and floundered for a while, trying to find something different. Out of the blue came Array, and the timing couldn’t have been more convenient.
WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN ATTENDING?
I was sort of forced into being interested. I was stuck doing a whole lot of nothing, and my family was sick of it. They pushed me into attending a Meet Array event, and I came begrudgingly.
WAS IT A DIFFICULT DECISION FOR YOU TO APPLY? WHAT MADE YOU ULTIMATELY DECIDE TO ATTEND?
About halfway through the Meet Array event I had made up my mind. It was actually one of the simplest life choices I’ve ever had to make.
DID YOU HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH CODING OR DESIGN BEFORE ARRAY?
I could draw, but that was about it. I actually always saw code and thought, “I would like to know how to do that, but I don’t want to hate myself.” Turns out that learning to code did the opposite.
WHAT IS AN AVERAGE DAY AT ARRAY LIKE?
It’s kind of the best. We spend our mornings discussing news, events, or trends in the tech community, and having a lecture on new material. After a good, long lunch, we usually either continue lecture or dive into related projects for the afternoon. We wrap up the day with final announcements and updates on what’s in the coming weeks. Every Friday, almost without fail, we had a guest speaker with us to talk about their jobs, how they got there, and have pizza and beer with us.
NOW THAT YOU’RE DONE, DO YOU FEEL THAT COMING TO ARRAY WAS A GOOD DECISION?
Absolutely. At this point of my life, I’m more proud of my time at Array than I ever have been of anything.
WHAT WAS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT THE LAST SIX-MONTHS?
It’s tough to say for sure. I suppose the actual job-hunt after the fact. It was definitely a huge source of stress, seeing my classmates get hired one by one, while I was still just trying to get an interview.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT?
I don’t know if I could pick any single moment out of my brain. It was just a really good six months. I suppose if I have to choose, either graduation or the job offer. Both of them had an oddly surreal feeling for me.
DID YOU ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE SCHOOL?
Absolutely. I got hired by an incredible company that I would have otherwise never had a chance with. I feel like I know what direction my life is heading, now.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW JOB.
I’ll be doing a lot of day to day maintenance on clients’ websites, and just being a sort of general resource for West Edge. So, really, I’m kind of expecting to do a little of everything. It won’t be the most glamorous job, but I so excited to get in there and earn my stripes!
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR THE SCHOOL?
My big takeaway was the importance of trying things you really don’t know about. I never thought I’d be smart enough to write code, but lo and behold, I actually really enjoy it. This was never a direction I expected my life to take, but I’m thrilled now that I’m here.
IF LIFE HAD A RESET BUTTON, AND KNOWING WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, WOULD YOU DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN?
