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Joseph Knopke
Joseph Knopke

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Two weeks in...

My first exposure to computer programming was 8 years ago, when I took Visual Basic in highschool. While Visual Basic is virtually extinct now, it was still a good introduction to the world of code, to the capabilities, theories, and purposes of computer programming. Eight years later, with all of that Visual Basic knowledge long gone, I find myself learning the basics of a computer programming language yet again.

Over the past couple weeks, while working through labs and attending study groups, I have also been asking myself - Why? Why am I completely changing my career path, doing something that doesn't really relate to my bachelor's degree or previous lines of work?

The first thing that attracted me to flatiron's software engineering program was simply the usefulness and practicality of a software engineering degree. Obviously coding is a widely applicable skillset, something that can be used in a variety of different fields and markets.

Another thing that initially attracted me to programming was just the process of creation that takes place. Throughout my academic experience, I was constantly involved in the creation of things: essays, stories, poems, plays, musicals, drawings. While these things are vastly different from computer programs and software, the process of creation is still similar.

I'm happy to say that, two weeks in, I still feel good about my decision to enroll in the software engineering program at flatiron. There have definitely been ups and downs, but all in all I have been thoroughly interested in the content, and I have enjoyed the learning process.

The most exciting moments have come when talking and working with classmates over zoom: I have received a lot of help and guidance from the people in my cohort, and I know that they will continue to be an important resource for the rest of the course.

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