I am incredibly humbled to know that at least a few will take the moment to explore this section of my website and for that, I’m truly grateful. I’m aware that at first glance my site may be overwhelming. Reasonable, sound advice would be to have this site be strictly my portfolio site as a developer and perhaps take other things more so in my freelancing and personal life off.
While there’s nothing wrong with that advice, especially for someone like me seeking full-time employment as a developer, my life is not just simply development. In our lives we play many roles but ever hardly are they so strict in boundaries and never intertwine with each other. If I was a parent, it would 100% impact every other role I have, whether that’s me being an employee, a partner, or a good friend. My capacity as a developer is much more than my technical capabilities.
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
– Marcus Aurelius
What Changed For Me
Years ago, I was frustrated that I felt I went the ‘long way’ on my journey into becoming a developer. I was full of “shoulda, coulda, woulda’s”. But in hindsight, every single work experience I’ve held up to this point has shaped me as a professional and an individual. I’ve grown under immense pressure and challenges presented to me that wouldn’t have otherwise if I followed a more traditional pipeline into development. Had I majored in Computer Science back at UALR (University of Arkansas, Little Rock) I wouldn’t have been in the position to mentor, train, and coach the dozens of people I’ve met along the way, to grow my skill set in public speaking. Four years ago, if you had told me I’d present a lecture to over 80 people or would regularly speak at events even larger I would have sworn you were mistaken.
If you ever asked me this question in an interview (or you simply know me that well) then you know that my greatest strength is my authenticity. And I want my website to be a true representation of that. When an organization hires me, they’re not just getting ‘developer’ me. They’re getting the me who values and cherishes family and loved ones above all, who is regularly tapping into her spirituality, and someone who is always asking herself if she’s serving her life purpose.