Coding with Passion and Purpose
For David Dekker ‘18, his passion is making meaningful contributions to his community, learning, and his family. As a Utah Valley University (UVU) alumnus and backend developer, David builds the code that powers his company’s online platforms and core functionalities. In this position he works remotely, which allows him to enjoy priceless moments with his family that he would otherwise miss.
“In my work, I enjoy the challenge of coding and configuration. I’m never bored because I’m always working on something new or learning new technologies.” This fast-paced, ever-evolving environment provides David with work that satisfies his need for creativity and continuous learning.
Experience Gained; Experience Shared
David’s experiences during his education and career have taught him that making an effort and being willing to fail are essential for progress. Near the beginning of his career, he was worried about making mistakes or being wrong in front of someone with more experience. Now he realizes that “you don’t have to be an expert or the best at something to be able to contribute.” This has allowed him to make his own career path.
He is eager to share the knowledge he has gained with students. He participates in UVU’s Job Shadow Program each year to impart some of his wisdom. He shared, “My hope is that I can help others avoid the same mistakes I made and guide them in their career paths in some small way. It’s a joy to interact with eager and motivated UVU students who can benefit from my experience. These interactions inspire me to continue my own path of lifelong learning.”
From UVU to Career Success
“My UVU degree helped me qualify for my first role out of college and created many other opportunities for me,” David shared. His last piece of advice is “Don’t get caught up always looking ahead and waiting for the next phase in your life to be happy. Enjoy the time you have now at UVU and the process of learning in and out of class.”
