##Ashley Duncan
###Essay Question Answers
- Why are you interested in programming? What have you done to expose yourself to programming so far?
- In college my CS friends would debate about programming best practices day in and day out, feeling left out I took some courses so that I could better understand what brought out such passion. One of my teachers explained how for many, the hook that captured programmers was seeing “Hello World” print to the screen; however for me it happened when I finished a class project that was scheduled to take four weeks in one weekend. I found myself glued to the computer for three days straight. I’d solve one problem only to bring up three more; I’d try changing one line of code only to find my entire program collapse with no idea why. It was these moments that fueled me, the need to know why and the inability to walk away without an answer. These days I spend what time I can completing courses on Codecademy, watching YouTube videos, reading instructional books, and attending various meetups concerning JavaScript and Python. I have always found that when learning something new it is best to immerse oneself in the content, which is why I'm so excited to become a student at ADA.
- What are your professional goals for the next 2 years, the next 5 years?
- My immediate goals are to find a position programming where I can grow and be surrounded by a knowledgeable and supportive team. I am driven to be the best that I can be and I aim to work somewhere that will feed that drive, giving me opportunities to develop my skills, take on interesting projects, and work with people I can really learn from. Over the next five years I plan to move from mentee to mentor, giving back to the community that taught me and encouraging future female programmers with testimonies of struggle turning into success. Most of all I look forward to finally having a job that becomes a way of life, a job that transcends the office building and follows me home each evening. I see my boyfriend come home each night and the immense passion that fills him as he tells me about his day, and it leaves me jealous knowing that feeling is just out of reach. I want that passion to reflect in my own work, I want my passion for programming to move from hobby to profession.
- Tell us about a time you made a mistake that you learned a lot from. If you encountered the situation again, what would you do differently?
- One mistake that I’ve learned a lot from was in my current role as a baker at Great Harvest. Last year we had an order of 150 12th Man sugar cookies that a client ordered last minute to celebrate a Seahawks game. Although it was a large order with short notice I felt confident that we could make it happen in the time allowed. In the end even with help from my co-workers the order was finished about an hour later than expected. In the process of negotiating a time frame I had forgotten to allow time for the cookies to cool fully before frosting, my mistake leaving a dissatisfied customer. If I encountered this situation again I would make sure to confer with my team about realistic deadlines and negotiate a time frame, we know can be accomplished. Since that incident I’ve taken more time to consider all elements involved in a project, asked for advice, and become more realistic about deadlines. In the end it taught me a lot about time management and that although it’s great to please a customer you shouldn’t promise a time frame you can’t stick to.
- Have you taught yourself anything before? Describe what you learned and how you approached it.
- Three years ago, the same friend who would later introduce me to programming, dragged me to what he called a Blues Fusion dance. Although I had experience dancing on my own, mostly in the form of tap and ballet when I was five, the idea of partner dancing was foreign and frightening to me. Although it wasn’t something that came natural to me, the opportunity for creativity and self-expression was what hooked me. Overcome with the need to improve, I participated in every opportunity I could find whether it be workshops, discussions, open practice, mentorship programs, or YouTube videos. In just three months I went from mentee to mentor, teaching beginner concept lessons and moving into a strong leadership role within the community. By the end of the year I was managing a Blues Venue, helping to organize future workshops, and continuing to teach dancers of all levels. I have always found that when learning something new it is best to immerse oneself in the content,this is why the extreme support network that ADA provides makes me so excited to become a student at ADA Developers Academy.
######For a better understanding of Blues Fusion click here!