This is the story of my work.

I started work as a full time software engineer for Flow Science in January of 2023. It is an evolution of the internship from 2022. I work with a great team. We support the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) setup and post-processing applications on Windows and Linux systems.

One of my first big successes has been setting up a GitLab CI/CD pipeline for merge requests and nightly builds for Quality Assurance testing. As part of this pipeline, I set up the Code Quality static analyzer as well as integrating the GoogleTest unit tests into the pipeline.

Once I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree, I started working for Flow Science as a full-time software development intern. It has been an opportunity to refine my C++ skills as well as focus on methods and techniques to add unit testing to a legacy code base.

I began my Computer Science journey in High School when I first took a programming class that used BASIC. It’s been more than 20 years and I have learned to write code for Java, C, C++, SQL, Python, PySpark, Prolog, and a few I can’t even remember. At CSU, I’ve learned about how to write clean code, test driven development, and how to code in a team environment with Agile methodologies. I’ve learned about Machine Learning Algorithms, how Big Data works on distributed systems like Spark and Hadoop, how Machine Learning intersects with Artificial Intelligence, and a bit about the history and cycles of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.

I graduated Cum Laude in May of 2022.

I started at Starbucks as a Barista in 2017. I learned a lot about coffee and the service industry in America. I learned everything I could about making the various beverages Starbucks offers and became a Barista Trainer in 2018. Being a Barista allowed me to evaluate what I wanted to do moving forward. While being a writer was my dream job, I couldn’t make that work and would have to try something else. I got to talking with several customers about what they did and started reading more about Machine Learning and the emergence of Deep Learning as a viable method for image applications like visual effects and reverse image searches. I applied for an online Computer Science program at Colorado State University and my last day working for Starbucks was in January of 2020.

After spending the back half of 2011 seeking full-time employment and doing small contract jobs on the side but not getting anywhere, I decided to try something different. I put my communication skills to the test and started writing and learning to write stories. I read several books such as the Seven Basic Plots and On Writing to advance my own skillset. I practiced creative writing. I wrote a short story that I published on Amazon and a novel that I had on Amazon as well. I learned that, while I might be able to write a story, that isn’t the most important part of making a living as a writer.

Marketing is necessary for success. Advertising and sales are the key components to being a successful writer and those were skills that I did not have and was unable to develop well enough, fast enough, without any mentorship in the arena to make writing a viable profession for me. I started applying for jobs again in 2017 because my writing wasn’t profitable.

I was able to take a variety of courses like Linux System Administration, Drawing, Composition, and History to figure out where I wanted to go next. It was a time that allowed me to explore topics and try things. I finished the requisite credits for an Associate’s Degree by the end of Summer 2011 and so the exploration had to come to an end.

I started a Physics program for a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder in August of 2008. I learned a lot about myself, college/academia, and what I didn’t want to do. There were many factors that lead to my dropping out at the end of the Spring 2009 semester, but drop out I did. I overextended myself, taking on more than I could reasonably handle, and needed to figure out what to do next.

During the first few months of my time as a physics student, I thought that I needed to work alongside my studies. I was able to arrange part time work as an apprentice electrician. I learned a great deal about how residential electricity works from the Master Electrician and the Journeyman Electrician at South Paw Electric. I ran wires through new and renovation projects and wired lights and outlets for the same. Most of my time was at one new house and my feedback upon resigning was that my work was correct and did not need any re-working, which was high praise for an exacting job. I have since learned that many apprentices do incorrect work that needs reworking, so rather than telling me that I was adequate, they were telling me I was exemplary.

After the Marine Corps, I decided to move somewhere I could ski. I moved to Breckenridge, Colorado, and was hired working for Summit County Communications Center (SCCC). My knowledge of database and system administration was at the forefront in deploying the New World Systems Record Management System for the county Sheriff’s department and the municipal police departments’ combined use. I worked with several police and sheriff’s department clerks as well as court clerks and the District Attorney’s office to ensure that the statutes in the system were clear and cleanly entered.

I also enjoyed several of the physically demanding projects the SCCC had. In 2007, we replaced several of the communication antennae that allowed First Responders to communicate in the mountainous region. We had to take down and store several antennae when we contracted the complete replacement of one of the communication towers and then re-attach all of them to the new tower.

During my time working, I had begun taking some college courses and applied to the University of Colorado at Boulder as a Physics Major. I resigned amicably in the Summer of 2008.

I signed up for the Marine Corps in the Summer of 2001, but did not enter Recruit Training until the end of November 2001. I graduated Recruit Training in February of 2002 and proceeded to Marine Combat Training, which is the abbreviated infantry course that non-infantry Marines take. My Military Occupational Specialty school came next in Pensacola, Florida in March. My MOS was 2631: ELINT Operator/Analyst. ELINT is an abbreviation for Electronic Intelligence, which is basically deciphering and/or categorizing signals that aren’t human communication.

I was assigned to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron One (VMAQ-1) after I completed training in Pensacola and I spent the rest of my enlistment with that unit. I went to school in Virginia Beach twice, once in 2003 during which I was promoted to Corporal and once in 2004, for supplementary specialist training that included database operations and UNIX system administration.

I deployed to Prince Sultan Airbase, Saudi Arabia with VMAQ-1 in February of 2003 and participated in Operation Southern Watch and when operations transitioned to Operation Iraqi Freedom in March we contributed as well. In 2004, we went to Iwakuni, Japan and supported several training exercises in the Pacific theater. I was promoted to Sergeant in Japan.

In 2005, we deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in support of ongoing operations. In 2006, I participated in the Summer training exercises while figuring out if I would like to re-enlist.

I chose not to re-enlist and I was Honorably Discharged at the end of 2006.

My first job was assisting adult ski instructors. I moved up to teaching children when I started High School and then to teaching adults when I turned 16. I was certified as a Level 1 Professional Ski Instructor by the Professional Ski Instructors of America organization. I have since let my certification lapse through disuse.