Hello, Mindy! We’re excited for students to get to know one of the amazing members of the Admissions team at Code Fellows. How long have you been in admissions?
Hello hello! I’ve been a part of Code Fellows Admissions team for 480 days at the time of this interview, joining Lindy & Karinne on Feb. 1, 2016!
What were you doing before this?
Right before Code Fellows, I was livin’ my dream: teaching fitness classes (Pure Barre) and traveling anywhere between Banff & San Diego in a tricked-out camper van for a few months. Prior to that, my professional background is a grab bag that stems from higher ed, sales recruiting, and biz dev in tech at a startup here in Seattle. While in that role, they asked me to take a coding class, which is when I discovered Code Fellows. I took the first course in our old sequence. Tip from experience: don’t procrastinate… do the prework!
What’s been your favorite part of your time at Code Fellows?
I often work remotely on Fridays, but when I am in the office I love seeing our students present their final projects on demo days. Knowing that some of these students only have a little bit of coding experience from online tutorials before Code 201, it really makes my heart happy seeing how far they advance in such a short amount of time. Learning to code really is tapping into a hidden superpower.
You’ve helped a lot of students navigate their first steps towards learning to code—what would you tell someone who is exploring a new career in tech?
Begin with a slow but steady practice routine (again, no procrastination to all you last-minute’ers out there). Try out online tutorials: Codecademy, Treehouse, and Khan Academy are good places to begin. Then, if your interest is piqued, start expanding your research, looking into schools, and heading to industry events such as Meetups or Seattle Startup Week. That way you can get a feel for the industry as a big picture.
What three words would you use to sum up the Code Fellows culture?
When I think of Code Fellows, I think “hustle”—both as a staff member and amongst our students. Also, tenacious/determined. And bright—both intelligence and luminously.
Lightning Round!
What’s your spirit animal?
Squirrel. But not the kind that pillage your backyard bird feeder. I’m more polite than that. :) I’m just known to jump from thing to thing and do so very quickly…like how I speed walk around campus.
Favorite Seattle happy hour spot?
Anything with a patio to soak up this sun. Ideally, taking a blanket to a park with a backpack and a beer (or the whole growler) is top-notch in my book.
What’s the most recent app you downloaded?
I’m a tad overly enthusiastic when it comes to tracking weather and tides. We recently moved to one of the islands outside Seattle, and after downloading a half dozen tide-focused apps, simply-titled Tides is the winner. And MarineTraffic is pretty cool if you are into tracking boats and that sort of thing.
Best place you’ve ever visited?
This is always a tough one. Via van, the PNW’s very own rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula to the Canadian Rockies—they are breathtaking! Otherwise via flight, I’m usually a sucker for the laid-back beach vibes, but bustling and orderly Tokyo is at the top of my list. I’d go back for the food alone.
iOS or Android?
iOS
Star Wars or Star Trek?
Wars!
Favorite thing to do outside of work?
My soon-to-be husband told me he was buying a one-way flight to Houston in Aug 2015 …so he could return in a camper van. Long story short, we spend nearly every weekend driving around the PNW living that #vanlife. I work remotely on Fridays, and often times it’s from the mobile office! We’re gearing up for an epic month-long trip next month for our wedding/honeymoon. Follow our weekend adventures on Instagram: @wkndvanlife.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Not swimming with sharks or skydiving! I prefer solid ground. This whole van thing has definitely set some expectations for eventual retirement. Tiny houses in the corners of the US with most of the time spent roaming North America.
Growing up in southwest Michigan, I spent some time with my grandparents in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). Although I have foggy memories of that area, I’m looking forward to heading back this summer, particularly Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Thanks for letting us pick your brain, Mindy! Get to know the members of our Admissions team at our upcoming info session on July 6.
