From the Grand Ole Opry to some Grand Ole coding: Introduction
“Why software engineering?”
When I was in college, I studied audio engineering. However, in every one of my audio classes, I had a natural interest in the software and technical tools we were using to the same extent I was interested in the audio we were studying. I wanted to know how the Pro Tools software manipulated audio, how the iZotope plugins worked in creating virtual instruments, and that interest led me to taking a plethora of computer science classes during college. These classes taught me basic Java and object-oriented programming, starting me on the path to really having a passion for coding. As someone who has always been into audio engineering and musicianship, I’m a natural creator, and code allows you to build creations from the bare bones up, building expressions of creativity.
After college, I pursued positions related to my major as an audio engineer for many years, putting coding aside to an enjoyable hobby for the time being. I worked in teams alongside Grammy winners with some of the industry’s biggest stars and properties, and developed a skillset unique to the entertainment industry. I knew how to interact with major celebrities in a respectful/private way, how to set up giant shows that would have thousands attending, and how to work with diverse companies including film and video game studios.
I also founded my own mixing and mastering company in the years spent working as an audio engineer after a tragedy affected my family. I wanted to originally just do a little freelance mixing and mastering to have extra cash to support my family financially during this tragedy, but the company grew past what I could have fathomed. It not only allowed me to do that, but years later it has grown 800% into a company servicing 500+ clients in 50+ countries. During my work with this company, I have never missed on single deadline, and average five stars in reviews of my work quality, communication, and providing the service expected.
Buoyed by success in this industry, I never expected the Covid-19 pandemic to put the industry I loved so dearly at a standstill. However, the temporary lapse in entertainment industry events and traveling finally gave me some time to take stock and reflect on my own goals, as for years I had been working 12+ hour shifts preparing live events or running recording sessions nearly every day. Not much extra time to reflect with that schedule, so a small lapse in business in my industry was a blessing in disguise.
After some reflection, I realized I wanted to use this rare opportunity where I had extra time to chase my passion for code, because I still felt so drawn to coding every moment I had free time. I believed I could invest myself in this passion finally and make myself a greater asset to the industry I loved, as coding had become even more of a necessary skill in the age of live entertainment events converting to virtual events. I decided to study at the Flatiron coding bootcamp soon after to further my coding ability, and the next ten months I refined my skills in coding languages such as Javascript, React/Redux, Sinatra, CSS, HTML, SQL, AWS, Python and many more.
In this blog I will share thoughts on that journey and my current journey as a software dev. I hope my takes can be an asset to those considering taking the leap and chasing their passions in technology. I will also be sharing tutorials for projects I have enjoyed building, as well as my own thoughts on technology topics, doing business as a technology expert, and the entertainment industry as it relates to technology.
I encourage comments and discourse. You don’t always have to agree with my takes on any topic and I would love to discuss different points of view. If readers have suggestions, comments, requests etc. they are welcome to leave a comment or contact me through my social media. I can be reached through the social media given in the Linktree in my profile bio.
Thank you for reading, and I hope I be a service to you, the reader, in my technology content. Come back soon for the first coding tutorial I will be posting — creating a Superhero Battle Simulator CLI application in Ruby.