Career Milestone: Director of Web Programming
2024-03-15 11:08:06
In February of 2024 I was promoted to Director of Web Programming at American Tradeshow Services. This is a huge deal for me. I’ve been a professional developer since December 2015. I believe I’ve become a well-rounded developer since then. To be given a promotion is extremely validating.
Of course, Sarah was the first to know. She couldn’t be prouder of me. She reminded me of how far I’ve come. I got emotional. I worked at Burgersmith and McAlister’s in Baton Rouge right out of college because I couldn’t find a job in programming. I finally found one after applying to hundreds of jobs and 6 months of practicing skills online because no one cares about C++ anymore (lol). I was let go from that job after a little more than year because the programming department simply didn’t have enough work. I went BACK to Burgersmith and started doing freelance work for IJM Consulting. We moved to New Orleans in 2017, and I started landscaping for nearly the next 4 months while still freelancing. Then I finally made it to The National WWII Museum and stayed for five and a half years. I started as Web Developer, then eventually made it to Web Manager during COVID, and then Senior Web Manager. Then ATS found me and hired me as Senior Web Developer. A year of being here, and now I’m the Director of Web Programming.
I got emotional because I remember how hard it was sometimes. How hard it was thinking about how I am barely supporting my family. How hard it was dealing with not having a job that pertained to me degree. Thinking, why did I spend so much time getting this thing if it won’t benefit me. Feeling like a failure. Like I wasn’t good enough, wasn’t smart enough, or didn’t know enough. But I do. I am smart enough. I am good enough.
It took hard work, exhausting days, and a lot of emotional support; but it was worth it. I am proud of myself. I do believe I deserve it. I know I’m going to do a good job. I write this to remind myself of how far I’ve come. However, if this helps you in some way, I’m glad. I’m grateful you read it, and I’m glad my story is relatable. Keep going, okay? Push through, and you’re going to make it through the other side.
