School
I attended Michigan State University from fall of 2012 to fall of 2016. Due to my inclination towards math, science, and technology, I initially decided to try my hand at mechanical engineering. Very quickly I decided that I was more interested in graphics and user interfaces than in the physical sciences. I switched to the computer science program my second semester, and really enjoyed the remaining three years of that major. Some of my favorite classes were Web Design and Development, 3D Modeling and Design, and Database systems. But those classes only begin to describe what I was able to learn while in school. With my degree finally in-hand, I'd very much like to enter a career in web design.
Work
I'm currently working at the Kelloggs Cereal Plant in Battle Creek, Michigan, where I've had the privilege to work for the past two years. My job duties as an IT contractor vary greatly, and as a result every working-day looks a little bit different.
Sometimes I work on implementing special programming projects with the goal of saving the company money. Other days are spent doing server maintenance or basic hardware repair. The biggest aspect of my job is that I provide first-level computer support to the workers at the plant. It's my responsibility to respond to any IT problem that a user might experience, and then provide the best and quickest solution.
My experiences at Kellogg have been extremely educational, and have created the environment for a huge amount of personal and professional growth. I've learned general things about corporate environments and the private sector that I never would have experienced in a college setting. And for that, I'm extremely grateful. Due to my recent graduation, I'm currently looking for a new position in web design.
Life
I grew up in the rural outskirts of Midland, Michigan. Midland had a lot to offer growing up. I attended a small school district named Bullock Creek that had the nicest people around. Midland was big enough that there was always more to see if you were willing to go look for it. I spent my summers kayaking on the Chippewa river, playing volleyball with my friends, and riding quads through the woods.
When my family wasn't in Midland we would go on camping trips all over Michigan. Northern Michigan was the best; we trekked out the the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinac Island, and Taquamenon Falls, just to name a few. Our favorite place was always Traverse City, where we would go to attend--or help out--with band camp (it's more fun than it sounds). It was in that place that I made my strongest friendships, and really got to see the awesome and supporting community that Bullock Creek was.
After I was a year into college, my family was presented with the opportunity to move to Battle Creek, Michigan. My dad had found a job there, and after much consideration they all decided to take a huge leap of faith. Leaving the caring community of Bullock Creek was one of the most difficult things we have ever experienced, but eventually we put down roots in Battle Creek. It turns out there are good people there, too.
This is the series of events that has led me to where I am right now. I grew up in a wonderful, supportive community, and during my college years I had the fun and exciting challenge of getting used to a whole new community. I'm currently working full time in Battle Creek but am searching for a full-time web design position. It seems like wherever I end up, God has had a way of working things out for good.
