6 years ago I was fresh out of college, broke, and eager to start working in TV/Film production. Through a series of incidental connections through friends, I worked on an indie feature called “Rooftops”, which took place in NYC but also filmed on location in my home state of Michigan. Upon completing the film, I made a decision to pack up my car and head out east.
After 5 months of sleeping on floors, and the awful experience of bussing tables at a 450 top restaurant in Rockefeller Center, I finally landed my first gig at a production company made famous for producing “Mob Wives”(Oh yes. Whether it’s terrible or brilliant is really up to you). At that point I could have been working on “Amish Mafia” and I wouldn’t have cared. This was my ‘in’. I was finally able to get my start as a post-production professional.
To date, I’ve worked on tons of different shows for various networks. I had a 3-year stint working on “The First 48”, everyone’s favorite true crime show. During my years in post-production, I was able to really pinpoint what brought me joy and fulfillment when I went to work.
A few of the big ones for me are the following:
• Creativity: There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing your work really come to life. From concept, to execution and all of the ups and downs in between(aka network notes). Creativity gives me the fulfillment that I need from my career.
• Problem Solving: Stumbling upon this revelation was huge for me in that it really opened the door to new paths in life. I had the ‘aha’ moment that life would be satisfying if I could use my brain to solve problems. I am always more curious as to the approach to problem solving, rather than being content with just the result. If we wanted to simplify how the world’s greatest minds are recognized, I might say that it’s their insane ability to solve problems. This goes for artists, scientists, writers, programmers and explorers. It all boils down to their ability and passion to solve problems.
• Collaboration: In all aspects of production, collaboration is key. I love working together to come up with the best solution to a problem, or finding creativity in a spark between unsuspecting colleagues. Our entire experience in life is social, so it’s no surprise that working together towards a goal is much more fulfilling than doing it alone.
The Big Switch Begins
So, how does this tie in with my current trajectory?
Programming.
Programming is all 3 of the things I listed, and so much more. It’s the path that always poked its head out at me and said, “Are you ready yet?” I’m pleased to announce that, yes, I am finally ready. I’m ready to use my problem solving skills, my creativity, my ability to collaborate, and I’m ready for a life of continuous learning.
In my pursuit of becoming a Full Stack Web Developer, I want to learn exactly how to learn. I want to be able to teach myself new programming languages(and Japanese too!), cooking skills, or even how to live off the grid. Web Development is my goal but it will facilitate joy and fulfillment in other aspects of my life as well.
One of the main reasons I chose to go through Flatiron School’s Online Web Developer Program is because their love of code is infectious. When you visit campus or a beginner study session, their passion has a way of rubbing off on you. They know that learning how to code is POWERFUL.
Code can change the world. I definitely agree with that. It has undeniable effects on our everyday life and it has the ability to empower people. In that sense I hope to start small and look toward my community to give people tools with which to empower themselves. I want to solve issues that make people’s lives easier, to become more independent, and help people to find joy in their own way, in their own life.
I love the thought of an idea coming from some small synapse in your brain, to a real, working, breathing thing. Even though collaboration is key, a single person can have a profound impact, especially in the world of programming. That’s a huge motivator for me in my consideration to become a Web Developer.
So, how do I actualize my goals? Stay tuned to find out…
Books I picked up to facilitate my learning. Other suggestions are welcomed!
HTML & CSS/ Javascript & Jquery by Jon Duckett
Grokking Algorithms by Aditya Y. Bhargava
Clean Code by Robert C. Martin
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