Software Development Is A Team Sport | Graduate Spotlight

After 17 years of being a teacher, Christine Doza of Web Development Cohort 45 decided it was time to explore a new career in an old passion of hers - software development! “I knew that some of the skills I cultivated as a teacher would apply to software development, but I was wrong about which ones,” she shares. “I’d been interested in coding since taking a computer science course as an undergrad, and believed my long immersion in the logic of geometry and calculus would serve me. But it’s actually the people skills, the facility with group dynamics, with making sure every voice is heard and every member feels valued, that has been most essential.”

Software design is a team sport, and I’ve been working with groups, classes, clubs, and teams for 17 years. And though code is not poetry, there is something about the pure economy of the language - each keystroke pulling its own weight, nothing included than isn’t necessary - that brings poetry to mind. And so I find myself exactly in the right place.

What was your favorite capstone project and why?

“[My] full-stack [project], because it all came together for me.”

What advice would you give to current or incoming NSS Web Development students?

“Go easy on yourself; lean on your classmates and instruction team for support.” 

What was your favorite part of your NSS experience?

“Learning so much so quickly from knowledgeable and supportive instructors.”

Christine is currently on the search for her first job in web development! Listen to Christine's podcast to hear about her NSS experience and full-stack capstone project. Connect with Christine on her LinkedIn page. 

Meet more of the graduates from Full-time Web Development Cohort 45 by visiting their class website!