Norman Schultz

So at this point in my life I’ve very much learned that I’m adaptable. Over and over again I keep placing myself in learning/growth environments. I might complain a bit along the way but deep down I love it. Programming is the latest upheaval and it’s deep enough to keep me busy/interested for a long time. I of course love problem-solving, but beyond that I also really love working on a team with people I respect and learn from. In that context I think I’m fun to work with and a hard worker. Software development is ideal because it provides meaningful challenges that are both creative and analytic.

I'm drawn to challenges as a matter of personal growth/character. I was an adjunct professor for 10 years and it was always challenging, but not in the doing-a-puzzle-at-home way - it mattered. I felt like I was making a difference. With as tech-oriented as companies are becoming, I feel the same way about programming (depending on the company’s mission).

It's safe to say that my penchant for learning and growing started with my leaving the religion of my youth (Jehovah's Witnesses) in my mid 20s. Realizing that the core beliefs that makeup your worldview might not actually be true leaves a lasting impression on one's character and values. I've seen first-hand the power of questioning, using logical reasoning, having an open mind, and being willing to jetison cherished ideas and habits. It lead to my studying and teaching philosophy and science in the first place.

I've built computers for years and have had numerous computer-related jobs. But even when my job wasn't specifically computer-based I would find ways to help others with their computers and software and try to streamline our flow of data and files. I'm simply drawn to computers and everything about them. I'm extremely excited that software development is *finally* giving me a chance to get to the root of how programs operate and utilize logic to get things done.

I would like be on a team of intelligent, cooperative people who care about the quality of the applications they are producing and the people on their teams. A cohort of sharp, kind people moving a noble organization forward is a powerful thing.