Extracurricular Activities
Weightlifting: I have been lifting on and off for about ten years now; it keeps my stressors in check.
Aviation: I am into all types of aviation from commercial to jets. Especially helicopters!
Stay-at-home dad: Most of my time is spent hanging out with my two girls.
Programming: I am currently learning the Swift language that is used to create iOS applications.
Navy reservist: I spend one weekend a month, and two weeks a year, improving my skills for my second career!
A Little Bit About Me
I was born in Utah and moved to Oregon when I was two. I grew up in West Salem, attended Harrit Elementary, Walker Middle School, and West Salem High School. After high school, I was denied entry to the military for medical reasons so I attended Chemeketa Community College for a degree in Automotive Technology. I worked at Roberson Chrysler Jeep in Salem until I was 21, when I received a call from the Navy to join! Right around that same time, I married my beautiful wife and we were expecting our first girl! I spent four years on active duty stationed out of Jacksonville, Florida with a helicopter squadron and completed two deployments. During my second deployment, my second daughter was born! I separated last year and came back to Oregon to pursue my next chapter in life!
Why I Chose Oregon Tech and My Major
Back in high school I had taken some programming classes and I really enjoyed them. Computers and technology have always been a huge part of my life. When I decided to join the military, programming became my most enjoyed hobby. When I decided to separate from active duty and come back to my home state, I landed on Oregon Tech as my home. The Portland Metro campus has been amazing for my busy schedule!
My Influential Professors
Thomas Klemz, Peter Meyers, and Phong Nguyen have had the most influence on me. They have all been extremely helpful and very real through their courses. They've all shared firsthand experiences from the industry (Software Engineering and Embedded Systems) and are what I consider subject matter experts!
My Greatest Learning Experience At Oregon Tech
I would say my greatest learning experience to date has been understanding the intricacies of the C and C++ programming languages. There is so much to learn and fortunately for me, and for all of the students in the Software Engineering program. The professors are extremely knowledgeable and express quality interest in helping us learn!
My Plans After Graduation
My future remains very open! I am planning now to potentially apply for the MECOP program this year and hopefully have two amazing internships before I graduate to get a realistic feel for the industry. I am also keeping the door open with the Navy as well to become an officer if it seems like the right path for me and my family.