About Me

I’ve had a curiosity for the way that things work for as long as I can remember. When I was very young, I would play with my Legos by smashing the various creations together and then doing my best to rebuild each one as close to the original as I could get it. Later, I developed an interest in computers and decided that I would learn how to put those together too, although that turned out to be somewhat more complicated.

In high school, I continued to take apart and rebuild computers, but I also learned to code in order to understand better the software side of how these machines worked.

Software engineering was a natural extension from this curiosity and it feels strange to me that I now get paid to learn and build things similar to the way that I always have and likely would have done as a hobby anyway if I had chosen a different career.

I graduated in May 2021 from Kent State University with a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics, and I have the school branded mask and socially distanced photos to prove it.

C# was my favorite language as it offered what I felt was the best balance of high-level functionality and low-level efficiency. You can’t write an app in just a few lines like you can with Python, but you can definitely beat it on most benchmarks.

Math has always been a fascination for me. So many subjects in school had always been so squishy and ill-defined, but math was always solid and constant. As I grew older, those squishy subjects began to make more sense to me and that squishy quality began to actually be an asset as it let you approach problems from various sides. Ironically, just as I was beginning to see this, I was reaching higher level math like Calculus that tended to also have squishier and more diverse options for answers.

Over the past few years, I’ve developed a solid foundation in software development and application management. Here’s a summary of my work experience:

I have four years of experience as a Software Developer, focusing on building full-stack applications using C#, .NET, SQL Server, and other technologies to solve practical problems and improve efficiency.

Previously, while working as an Application Developer at Case Western Reserve University from January 2022 until November 2022, I maintained and enhanced the Digital Case system supporting library operations. My tasks involved developing responsive web interfaces using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS; writing automated scripts to streamline workflows; creating RESTful APIs for integration purposes; debugging issues promptly; authoring detailed technical documentation; and collaborating closely with stakeholders.

Before that, from January 2020 until March 2021 at 7-17 Credit Union, I served as an Application Specialist. In this role, I functioned as a full-stack developer to build custom applications across multiple proprietary platforms. My work included designing secure database solutions for financial transactions; developing documentation through diagrams and manuals; automating tasks which saved considerable time; troubleshooting system issues effectively; and working collaboratively with management teams.

My experience demonstrates my ability to contribute quickly, taking on responsibilities in both development-focused roles as well as application maintenance and enhancement positions. I’ve refined my skills across various technologies including C#,.NET SQL Server, Java for Android app development (FreeFinance), JavaScript, HTML5/CSS3, database design principles, system integration tasks, and UI/UX implementation.

In my free time, I enjoy working on personal projects (for more info on what I’m currently working on, check that section of the blog), woodworking, and reading science fiction novels. Some of my favorite novels include Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series and Craig Alanson’s Expeditionary Force series.

I also enjoy playing golf and tennis, although I’m quite out of practice in both of these. I’m currently trying to set up a routine where I can play both of them more regularly.