- Assess your habits from week 1: how did you spend your time this past week? What was effective in your habits? What could be more effective? What steps will you take to make that happen?
I spent a lot of time this week, getting starting on our first paired project for Mod 2. I was effective in taking more breaks, and not working for long periods of time. I could do a better job of scheduling out my time, so I spend more time working on JS Fun, and pre-learning lesson. Currently I have prioritized my project work over everything else and that needs to change for me to successful in mod 2.
- Write a draft of your professional story here as 1-2 paragraphs. Focus on answering the questions who are you, why are you here, and what's next? Consider how to talk about your motives and values, the turning points that led to your career change, and what you envision for yourself going forward.
My name is Alex Thompson and I am an aspiring software developer who loves to solve problems and is willing to grow and adapt. I don't have the most conventional path entering the software/computer science field. I studied applied mathematics and the environment in college and started a job in the civil engineering/land surveying field after college. Sensing I needed a change in location I moved from Maine, where I was born and raised and attended college, and moved to Wyoming. For the last seven years I worked various jobs, from working in a ski shop to being a kayak guide in Yellowstone National Park for three years. However, my main source of income was from working at the oldest brewery in Wyoming, starting as a busser and working my way up to a bartender and mangager. I never envisioned myself working in a restaurant, but ended up really enjoying the fast paced nature of the work, and the team environment. I have always wanted to go back to school in some form, or at least have a career where my work was rewarding and meaningful. I pushed off going back to school for longer than I expected, however once the pandemic hit, it was a huge wake-up for me. The restaurant I was working at closed three times due to various COVID-19 issues, and really forced me to think about what I was doing with my career. I have always loved working with team, especially when there is problem solving and logic involved. I have an analytical mind, with a background in mathematics. In my research for careers, I came across software developement and it echoed exactly what I was looking for in a career. Going forward, I hope to be able to use my analytical passion to solve problems that are meaningful for the world, and create technology and applications that people enjoy using.
- Update your LinkedIn profile with the following: updated photo/headshot, headline, summary statement using your story, and Turing added to your experience and education sections. Include a link to your profile here in the journal. Remember the guidelines and tips from the lesson here.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-thompson-he-him/
- What other steps will you take this week to update your branding or practice your story?
I will work on getting a professional headshot and including this headshot in my LinkedIn, GitHub, Slack, and other places where a picture of me is required. Furthermore, I'll try to practice recitng my professional story and practice reciting it with different length versions.