Step One - Build-a-blog

I chose the wrong major while I was in college. I blame my parents, but that's easy to do.


My mother wanted me to become a chef as I love cooking/baking and my father wanted me go into business. Naturally I didn't do either of those.

As a high school student I wanted to become a lawyer and then become a politician. I think it all stemmed from a desire to make changes in the world. Then in college as a political science student I learned about lobbyists, payouts, and the severe split in political groups (or at least the presence of the split by the media). So it turns out I didn't want to become a politician but kept with the degree. 

After some stumbling blocks and changes in my life I went from: graduate school studying Student Development in Higher Education at the University of Maine, Administrative Assistant at the Department of Education, Youth Development Volunteer with the Peace Corps, STEM Coordinator for AmeriCorps, Customer Service Representative for Blackbaud, Membership and Development Coordinator for the American Legion Auxiliary, and Conversion Project Manager/Manager of Data Services/Director of Implementations for Bloomerang.

So much of my time I have spent with customer service to some degree and what it boils down to is: I want to create.

My paternal grandfather did a lot of wood working/carpentry and was impressive at it. My father does a lot of work with machines and has rebuilt a motorcycle. I...know how to make bread.

Don't get me wrong my bread is quite tasty but that was never enough for me.

At my last employer I heard about something called The Iron Yard Academy in reference to a place to look at potential new hires and it stuck with me. I read up on them, saw what the program looked like and even inquired about their program at one point.  Then I made the plunge.

I signed up for Web Development Basics course and then jumped in completely by signing up for the intensive 12 week class.

So here will be my starting point. My origin story if you will for my journey through The Iron Yard Academy. My goal is simple. Write something every day, a paragraph at minimum, on the adventure.

After the class ends I'll likely use this space to share my work exploration, my growth in programming, show off some skills I have, and share the joys/missteps all along the way.

Look out for the next post to come soon about pre-work.

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