Beginning The Web and Software Development Program At MATC

I am currently enrolled in the Information Technology Web and Software development program at Milwaukee Area Technical College.  What really attracted me to MATC was the opportunity to acquire the practical knowledge and skill set that will prepare me for a career in programming.

The ability to learn these valuable skills at a fraction of the price I would pay at a traditional four year institution made the decision to attend MATC an easy one.  Furthermore I have already had a traditional college experience.  I graduated from UW Madison with a Bachelors degree in the humanities.  The experience was a great one and taught me how to think critically however practically it prepared me for a career in coffee.  I am ready to move on from my job in the service industry to begin a career in IT (before I am replaced by AI.)

 I chose IT because I find it to be a fascinating,  creative, and mentally challenging field.  I love the  fact that IT is always changing and evolving which  gives me the opportunity to be a life long learner.

 I have always had a passion for technology from  childhood since the day my father brought home a  computer.  I bombarded him with questions.  I  wanted to know everything about that big box.    How did it work, what could you do with it?    Eventually I was old enough to ask the computer  these questions.  I feel privileged to have    experienced a world without the Internet.  It has    been magical watching the transformation of life  through technology in such a short period.  Viewing this transformation really inspired me to be a part of this field which shapes modern life like nothing else.

Why programming?  My passion for programming began in a very pragmatic way. A few years back I started to research jobs that were in demand and computer programmer was at the top of the pack.  I really had no idea what a programmer did.  This simple curiosity really got me started and the answer sparked a hobby in me.  Apparently I was not alone in my interest as the amount of resources and forums dedicated to helping the beginning programmer seemed to be large and growing.  I went from knowing close to nothing to reading books on Python, watching lectures from the Harvard CS50 course and working through the modules on Code Academy in my spare time.  My curiosity had sparked a passion.  Now I look forward to turn my passion into a profession here at MATC.