With 20+ years of experience in web design and development, you might have expected someone like me to be freelancing on a regular basis or running a small business. However, everyone's life takes a different path.
The beginning
I started out learning HTML using Notepad and Geocities while I was a Freshman in college, back in 1998. Despite this hobby, I graduated in 2001 with a Bachelors of Science in Political Science ... not Computer Science. With degree in hand, the job hunt began, and I landed my first "real" job at a two-year public college ... as their web designer.
Young and eager, I took to learning all I could to work as effectively and efficiently as I could for the institution, striving to keep costs down (after all, state-funded institutions aren't swimming in money). This lead me to learn open-source coding ... specifically PHP and MySQL.
The here and now
Over seventeen years later, I still work in the same building I started out in all those years ago. The institution has gone through it's growing pains and persisted through a merger. Throughout all of this, I've earned certifications to strengthen my skill set. In 2008, I graduated with a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology. And since 2013, I have been working on a Doctorate of Education in Adult & Career Education. I'm currently working on my dissertation and am hoping to successfully defend and graduate in the spring of 2019.
Through all of this, I have continued to program for the web and grow my skill sets. Education is my passion, and in a way, has also stood between me and starting my own small business. Time is a precious commodity and there is only so much to go around ... and formal education does like to take large chunks of that time. But as the doctoral phase of my life is winding down, I am looking to the future and how I can start reaching out to offer my skill sets to others.
Moving into the future of Small Business
So... Door A Designs will be coming in 2019! I'm still hashing out all the details, trying to make sure my ducks are in a row (much easier than herding cats!). I'm hoping to be offering some different Web Site-related services, such as consulting, design, and development. Additionally, I plan on offering Instructional design and teaching services.
Plans are in the start-up phase, so keep an eye out for more info in the future!