Meet Technologist Kelly Hills
Describe yourself in three words…
Thinker— I like to think. A lot. Sometimes it takes me a while to reflect on information before discussing it, and I think that this helps me to develop more meaningful ideas and insight.
Driven — When I am passionate about something, I put all of my energy into achieving and/or mastering that thing.
Curious — Learning and remaining curious about the world is important to me, and I’ve collected a lot of seemingly random facts about the world by diving deep into research on Google.
Why did you join Strategio’s Simulator?
I joined Strategio’s Simulator because I want to learn as much as I can about software engineering and the tech industry. Strategio’s program is a unique opportunity to gain a broad understanding of software engineering, collaborate with peers, and build a powerful network. All of which sounds amazing to me!
What were you doing before you joined Strategio?
This past spring, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Thomas Edison State University. Over the summer, I interned at Merkle as an associate developer, where I got to work on development projects in Salesforce. I enjoyed my internship experience, and afterward, I was hungry for more hands-on coding. Since then, I have been searching for opportunities to gain more coding experience and expand my software development skills.
What are you most excited about this year?
I am so excited to launch my career as a software engineer! The tech field has been a passion of mine for a long time, and I’m so looking forward to developing my career as a professional.
What made you decide to get into tech?
I get a thrill from solving problems, and I love how technology is constantly being used to create new and better solutions to problems. This evolving nature of tech makes it an especially exciting field, and I want to be a part of this innovation.
What do you like to do during your spare time?
I love to bake, and I rarely bake the same recipe twice — I’m usually trying out new recipes for cakes, cookies, pavlova, biscotti, etc. I also spend a lot of time reading classic literature and mysteries — a few of my favorite authors are Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, and Agatha Christie. My free afternoons are typically spent in a cozy chair, enjoying a freshly baked cookie, drinking a cup of green tea, and reading a good book.
What is your favorite cultural value at Strategio?
Continuously learn is my favorite cultural value at Strategio. The tech industry is well known for its evolving nature. Staying up-to-date with tech trends and knowledge is vital to achieving success as a software engineer. But to take this value a step further, I think it’s important to realize that there is always something new to learn, no matter who you are. This can put everyone on a level playing field, so to speak. Keeping an open mind and listening to what others have to share are things that I believe are essential to achieving success. So for me, continuous learning involves remaining open-minded and not becoming stagnant in my own ideas.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
If I could travel anywhere, I would travel to see the settings of some of my favorite books — the English countryside. Picture the locations where Pride and Prejudice (2005) was filmed —a country estate set among rolling green hills, for example — that’s where I want to be.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
Hmm — I don’t think I have a favorite restaurant. But I do have favorite foods! I love pizza, Mediterranean cuisine, and Cuban cuisine.
What are you looking forward to learning/gaining during the Strategio Simulator?
