VCU’s approach to applied logic and argument building really helped me quickly pick up on computing languages. 

When did you graduate from VCU?

In 2011, with a B.A. in philosophy and a B.A. in economics.

Where did your career path take you post graduation?

I've had no additional formal education, though great peers and mentors have helped me throughout my career in learning what I needed to be successful. I’ve also held quite a few different roles which have demanded a vast number of skills for me to hone.

What is your current role?

Currently, I'm working as the lead software engineer for TechCampus learning, which means I lead a team of about 20 engineers. We craft learning experiences for freshmen in college all the way until the time our campus hires graduates [for the] Capital One Technology development program.

As a part of this, I’m blessed to work on programs that are focused on increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in tech. The programs I work on are:

• Our minimester program, which involves partner HBCU and HSIs
• Our CODA program, which takes folks without a computer science degree and puts them in a six-month tech boot camp so they can begin working as Capital One engineers

What is your take on how a philosophy degree prepares students for success in their future careers?

It’s funny because you wouldn’t think that someone graduating with a philosophy degree would move into a tech role, but VCU’s approach to applied logic and argument building really helped me quickly pick up on computing languages. I remember early in my career having reflections on Tarski’s World from [the course] Philosophy 222, or leveraging lessons from philosophy of language analyzing a business case/data pull.