---
title: Pay It Forward | Graduate Spotlight
description: Having seen the tech field’s quick expansion in Middle Tennessee, Quin felt the time was right to shift his career, but did not want to pursue another four-year degree. He started researching his education options and found Nashville Software School. With his background in graphic design, NSS’s Front-end Web Designer/Developer Bootcamp was the perfect complement to his skill set.
image: https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hubfs/2019_11_21_C35_0096_T.jpg
---

[![Nashville Software School Logo](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hubfs/Jan2018/Images/NSS-logo-horizontal-small.jpg)](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/)

- [Programs](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs) 
    - [Software Development Jumpstart](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/software-development-jumpstart)
    - [Analytics Jumpstart](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/analytics-jumpstart)
    - [Data Engineering Jumpstart](https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-engineering-jumpstart)
    - [Full-Time Web Developer Bootcamp](https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/web-developer-full-time/)
    - [Part-Time Web Developer Bootcamp](https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/web-developer-part-time/)
    - [Full-Time Data Analytics Bootcamp](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-analytics-full-time)
    - [Part-Time Data Analytics Bootcamp](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-analytics-part-time)
    - [Date Engineering Bootcamp](https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-engineering)
    - [Statistics For Data Science](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/statistics-for-data-science)
    - [Data Science Bootcamp](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-science)
    - [Professional Development](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/professional-development)
- [Community](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community) 
    - [Shop NSS](https://shopnss.creator-spring.com/)
    - [Our Team](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/instructors/)
    - [Alumni](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/alumni/)
    - [Mentors](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/mentors/)
    - [Employers](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/employers/)
    - [Veterans' Information](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/veterans-info/)
    - [Podcast](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/podcast/)
    - [Join Our Team](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/join-our-team)
- [Support NSS](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com) 
    - [Donate](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/ways-to-give)
    - [Corporate Giving](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/building-a-better-community-through-corporate-giving)
    - [Become A Volunteer](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/become-a-volunteer)
    - [Community Impact Report](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community-impact-report-2025)
- [Calendar](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/calendar) 
    - [Upcoming Events](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/calendar/events)
    - [Upcoming Programs](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/calendar/upcoming-programs/)
- [Blog](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog)

# Blog

# Pay It Forward | Graduate Spotlight

Apr 1, 2020

 •

[Jessica Grande](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/author/jessica-grande)

![2019\_11\_21\_C35\_0096\_T](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2019_11_21_C35_0096_T.jpg?width=300&name=2019_11_21_C35_0096_T.jpg)

MEET Quin

After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in animation, Web Development Cohort 35 student Quin Smith worked freelance for a time, ranging from graphic design, motion graphics, and video editing. Quin’s first encounter with web development was as a graphic design intern in Silicon Valley. He felt there were opportunities to be discovered on the creative side of tech after he witnessed a mock-up design of his go from a Photoshop file to a fully functional web page. “I knew this was something that I wanted to \[learn more about\],” he explains. 

Having seen the tech field’s quick expansion in Middle Tennessee, Quin felt the time was right to shift his career, but did not want to pursue another four-year degree. He started researching his education options and found Nashville Software School (NSS).  “I'd heard nothing but positive things about NSS while doing the research early on,” he shares. With his background in graphic design, NSS’s Front-end Web Designer/Developer Bootcamp was the perfect complement to his skill set.

NSS Experience

Quin speaks highly of “pinpointing the exact moments when writing code began to make sense, meeting so many new people, both in and outside of my cohort, and the unexpected friendships that came about as a result.”

> It wasn't until I decided to pursue additional education through Nashville Software School that I discovered just how much I enjoyed the ‘puzzle solving’ aspect of writing code.”

### Capstone Projects

[Hope](https://github.com/JQuinSmith/Hope-Capstone-App) is the name of Quin’s front-end capstone project. Being inspired by the gilded comments and support people share among Reddit threads, he wanted to take this “pay it forward” concept and apply it to the Nashville community. Users of the app can raise different “issues” that they either notice in their community or experience themselves, e.g., a flat tire or an elderly community member that needs help with yard work, and pin the issue to the map. Then, everyone on the app in the area can come help resolve the issue. 

He used React with React Strap to design Hope and incorporated a map API. “Most people use Google Maps when they are involving a map in their apps but I branched out and used a map API called Leaflet,” Quin explains.  

For his final capstone, Quin felt inspired to finish building the front-end application for [Bangazon](https://github.com/JQuinSmith/bangazon), a fictitious NSS company run by our full stack bootcamps. His cohort started the process as a group project. They conducted user interviews, designed user interfaces, and tested those interfaces, but because of time constraints they could not complete the build of the front-end application. 

To help future full stack students visualize what they were creating on the server-side, Quin built the client-side (or front-end) of the application using React and a pre-populated database provided by the instructors. He styled it with elements from the Semantic UI library. “When this project was originally introduced, the idea that future cohorts would potentially utilize our work to assist in building their projects was something that just resonated with me,” he shares. 

> NSS has this culture of supporting those that follow in your footsteps and this was another extension of that mindset."

Hired!

Quin is now a full-time web developer at the tech company, Ambition. He gives high praise to NSS’s Career Development team for assisting him during his job search and encourages students to trust and use their help while looking for their first job in development. 

“It’s very daunting at first. They constantly tell you ‘trust the process,’” he recalls. “Kristin McKinney \[of the NSS Career Development team\] was really in my corner through the entire process.” 

Learn more about Quin by listening to his [podcast](https://soundcloud.com/nashville-software-school/quin-smith?in=nashville-software-school/sets/cohort-35evening-9) or visiting his [website](https://jquinsmith.github.io/jquinsmith/#/)! 

---

Check out all the recent grads on [Web Development Cohort 35's class website](https://nss-day-cohort-35.github.io/website/)and hear the graduates share their journey into development and their experience at NSS in their podcasts below.

<iframe style="margin: 0px auto; display: block;" allow="autoplay" xml="lang" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/playlists/984630004&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=false&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true" width="560" height="450" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Topics: [Student Stories](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/student-stories), [UI/UX](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/ui-ux), [Web Development](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/web-development)

[![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flearn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com%2Fblog%2F2020%2F04%2F01%2Fpayingitforward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Flearn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com%2Fblog%2F2020%2F04%2F01%2Fpayingitforward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Flearn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com%2Fblog%2F2020%2F04%2F01%2Fpayingitforward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Flearn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com%2Fblog%2F2020%2F04%2F01%2Fpayingitforward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Pay%20It%20Forward%20%7C%20Graduate%20Spotlight) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Flearn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com%2Fblog%2F2020%2F04%2F01%2Fpayingitforward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Flearn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com%2Fblog%2F2020%2F04%2F01%2Fpayingitforward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

### Upcoming Programs

Explore our upcoming programs to begin your journey towards a career in tech! Classes begin year-round.

[![EXPLORE](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4020755/e0f6232d-25e4-456d-a386-a0cf09a776dd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4020755/e0f6232d-25e4-456d-a386-a0cf09a776dd)

### Want to know more?

### Support NSS

[![Donate Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4020755/6faecbd3-f6a1-4a5b-9256-fa436de1e5ef.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4020755/6faecbd3-f6a1-4a5b-9256-fa436de1e5ef)

### Post by Topic

- [Student Stories (369)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/student-stories)
- [Web Development (279)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/web-development)
- [Hiring? (233)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/hiring)
- [Analytics + Data Science (210)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/analytics-data-science)
- [Community (126)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/community)
- [News (115)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/news)
- [Learning (111)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/learning)
- [Alumni (78)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/alumni)
- [Software Engineering (61)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/software-engineering)
- [Technology Insights (39)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/technology-insights)
- [10 Years | 2000 Journeys (27)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/10-years-2000-journeys)
- [Get Involved (24)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/get-involved)
- [Meetups & Community Events (22)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/meetups-community-events)
- [UI/UX (22)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/ui-ux)
- [Data Engineering (17)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/data-engineering)
- [Mind The Gap (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/tag/mind-the-gap)

All

### Blog Archives

- [September 2026 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2026/09)
- [August 2026 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2026/08)
- [July 2026 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2026/07)
- [June 2026 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2026/06)
- [May 2026 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2026/05)
- [April 2026 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2026/04)
- [March 2026 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2026/03)
- [February 2026 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2026/02)
- [January 2026 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2026/01)
- [December 2025 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/12)
- [November 2025 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/11)
- [October 2025 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/10)
- [September 2025 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/09)
- [August 2025 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/08)
- [July 2025 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/07)
- [June 2025 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/06)
- [May 2025 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/05)
- [April 2025 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/04)
- [March 2025 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/03)
- [February 2025 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/02)
- [January 2025 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2025/01)
- [December 2024 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/12)
- [November 2024 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/11)
- [October 2024 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/10)
- [September 2024 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/09)
- [August 2024 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/08)
- [July 2024 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/07)
- [June 2024 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/06)
- [May 2024 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/05)
- [April 2024 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/04)
- [March 2024 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/03)
- [February 2024 (6)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/02)
- [January 2024 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2024/01)
- [December 2023 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/12)
- [November 2023 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/11)
- [October 2023 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/10)
- [September 2023 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/09)
- [August 2023 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/08)
- [July 2023 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/07)
- [June 2023 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/06)
- [May 2023 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/05)
- [April 2023 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/04)
- [March 2023 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/03)
- [February 2023 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/02)
- [January 2023 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2023/01)
- [December 2022 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/12)
- [November 2022 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/11)
- [October 2022 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/10)
- [September 2022 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/09)
- [August 2022 (10)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/08)
- [July 2022 (10)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/07)
- [June 2022 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/06)
- [May 2022 (6)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/05)
- [April 2022 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/04)
- [March 2022 (12)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/03)
- [February 2022 (12)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/02)
- [January 2022 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2022/01)
- [December 2021 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/12)
- [November 2021 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/11)
- [October 2021 (6)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/10)
- [September 2021 (15)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/09)
- [August 2021 (19)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/08)
- [July 2021 (12)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/07)
- [June 2021 (16)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/06)
- [May 2021 (9)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/05)
- [April 2021 (9)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/04)
- [March 2021 (10)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/03)
- [February 2021 (17)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/02)
- [January 2021 (10)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2021/01)
- [December 2020 (13)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/12)
- [November 2020 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/11)
- [October 2020 (11)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/10)
- [September 2020 (13)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/09)
- [August 2020 (9)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/08)
- [July 2020 (10)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/07)
- [June 2020 (12)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/06)
- [May 2020 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/05)
- [April 2020 (12)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/04)
- [March 2020 (11)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/03)
- [February 2020 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/02)
- [January 2020 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2020/01)
- [December 2019 (6)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/12)
- [November 2019 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/11)
- [October 2019 (6)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/10)
- [September 2019 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/09)
- [August 2019 (10)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/08)
- [July 2019 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/07)
- [June 2019 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/06)
- [May 2019 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/05)
- [April 2019 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/04)
- [March 2019 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/03)
- [February 2019 (6)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/02)
- [January 2019 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2019/01)
- [December 2018 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/12)
- [November 2018 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/11)
- [October 2018 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/10)
- [September 2018 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/09)
- [August 2018 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/08)
- [July 2018 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/07)
- [June 2018 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/06)
- [May 2018 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/05)
- [April 2018 (9)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/04)
- [March 2018 (6)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/03)
- [February 2018 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/02)
- [January 2018 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2018/01)
- [December 2017 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/12)
- [November 2017 (9)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/11)
- [October 2017 (11)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/10)
- [September 2017 (9)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/09)
- [August 2017 (12)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/08)
- [July 2017 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/07)
- [June 2017 (9)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/06)
- [May 2017 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/05)
- [April 2017 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/04)
- [March 2017 (8)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/03)
- [February 2017 (7)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/02)
- [January 2017 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2017/01)
- [December 2016 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/12)
- [September 2016 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/09)
- [August 2016 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/08)
- [July 2016 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/07)
- [June 2016 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/06)
- [May 2016 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/05)
- [April 2016 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/04)
- [March 2016 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/03)
- [February 2016 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/02)
- [January 2016 (5)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2016/01)
- [December 2015 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2015/12)
- [June 2015 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2015/06)
- [January 2015 (4)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2015/01)
- [December 2014 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2014/12)
- [February 2014 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2014/02)
- [January 2014 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2014/01)
- [October 2013 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2013/10)
- [June 2013 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2013/06)
- [May 2013 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2013/05)
- [April 2013 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2013/04)
- [November 2012 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2012/11)
- [October 2012 (2)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2012/10)
- [July 2012 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2012/07)
- [June 2012 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2012/06)
- [May 2012 (3)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2012/05)
- [January 2012 (1)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/archive/2012/01)

All

### Recent Posts

Nashville Software School is authorized by the [Tennessee Higher Education Commission](https://www.tn.gov/thec/). This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.

- [NSS](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/)
- [About](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/about)
- [Press](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/press)
- [Contact](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/contact)
- [Virtual Tour](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/virtual-tour)
- [FAQ](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/faq)
- [Blog](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog)
- [Policies & Regulations](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/policies-and-regulations)

- [Programs](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs)
- [Software Development Jumpstart](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/software-development-jumpstart)
- [Analytics Jumpstart](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/analytics-jumpstart)
- [Data Engineering Jumpstart](https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-engineering-jumpstart)
- [Full-Time Web Developer Bootcamp](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/full-time-bootcamps)
- [Part-Time Web Developer Bootcamp](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/part-time)
- [Full-Time Data Analytics Bootcamp](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-analytics-full-time)
- [Part-Time Data Analytics Bootcamp](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-analytics-part-time)
- [Data Engineering Bootcamp](https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-engineering)
- [Statistics For Data Science](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/statistics-for-data-science)
- [Data Science Bootcamp](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/data-science)
- [Professional Development](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/programs/professional-development)

- [Community](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community)
- [Donate](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com)
- [Shop NSS](https://shopnss.creator-spring.com/)
- [Our Team](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/instructors/)
- [Alumni](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/alumni/)
- [Mentors](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/mentors/)
- [Employers](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/employers/)
- [Veterans' Information](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/veterans-info/)
- [Podcast](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community/podcast/)
- [Join Our Team](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/join-our-team)

- [Support NSS](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com)
- [Donate](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/ways-to-give)
- [Corporate Giving](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/building-a-better-community-through-corporate-giving)
- [Become a Volunteer](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/become-a-volunteer)
- [Community Impact Report](https://support.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/community-impact-report-2025)
- [Upcoming Events](http://nashvillesoftwareschool.com/calendar)

 

[![Leaders-in-Diversity-2023](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Leaders-in-Diversity-2023.png?width=120&height=60&name=Leaders-in-Diversity-2023.png)](https://bizj.us/1qj9h1)[![Best In Business 2020 Winner](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BIBA-2020-logo-Winner.jpg?width=120&name=BIBA-2020-logo-Winner.jpg)](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/2020/03/10/nss-awarded-best-in-business)![Nashville Scene - Ditch Your Crappy Job 2016](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nashville-Scene-Award.jpg?width=120&name=Nashville-Scene-Award.jpg)

 

[![NACC Proud Member](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NACCProudMember.png?width=120&name=NACCProudMember.png)](https://www.nashvillechamber.com/)

[![NTC Member](https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ntc-member.png?width=250&name=ntc-member.png)](https://technologycouncil.com/)

 

 

<https://www.linkedin.com/school/nashville-software-school/> <https://www.facebook.com/nashvillesoftwareschool.com> <https://www.instagram.com/nashvillesoftwareschool> <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCKj04Fy5V4zAjWSIqdqScw> <https://www.x.com/nashsoftware> <https://soundcloud.com/nashville-software-school/sets/stories-from-the-hackery-1?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing>

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Jessica Grande",
    "url" : "https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/author/jessica-grande"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2020-04-01T20:26:27.601Z",
  "datePublished" : "2020-04-01T20:26:27.000Z",
  "headline" : "Pay It Forward | Graduate Spotlight",
  "image" : [ "https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hubfs/2019_11_21_C35_0096_T.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/2020/04/01/payingitforward",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/hubfs/NSS-logo-horizontal-large.jpg"
    },
    "name" : "Nashville Software School"
  }
}
```