Douglas Knight has spent a significant amount of his working life looking to bring success to the next generation of students entering the workforce in the coming years.
A dedicated technology professional, Douglas Knight, has been the author of a number of programs and pieces of software which have been created using code and software written for both in-house clients and those seeking the aid of his company. One of the most important aspects for Douglas Knight, New Canaan resident is to give back to the community in a positive way which is why he has become a volunteer for school programs providing hands-on experience in coding and programming for students.
What was your best/favorite subject in school?
As a technology expert I’d love to say my favorite subject was math or the sciences but, in fact, I loved art and was planning to pursue a career in this field before I found video games and enjoyed the design aspects of this sector. As I began to learn more about coding, programming, and Web design I fell in love with all aspects of the algorithms and math involved with developing software during my time at college.
What was your first job?
The first job I held was as a high school student packing groceries at a local grocery store which I enjoyed regarding meeting people. My first full-time job in the software development industry was in Web design which gave me a good grounding in the industry but inspired me to improve myself for the future.
Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
I wasn’t interested in computers to any great extent until I was a high school sophomore and began to become interested in a few different video games. My interest was piqued in video games, and from there, my interest in coding and programming also arrived. Later on, I began asking professors at college how to break into the industry, and they led me down the right academic path before I simply got my resume out there and knocked on doors to get a job.
How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
My first job as a Web developer was influential as it allowed me to realize I did want to get into programming and coding which I enjoyed more. Understanding the development of Web sites and apps has aided me in my career as a coder and programmer to give me an all-around understanding of the industry.
Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
Every day of work is usually fun and enjoyable, but recently I completed a significant project for a client who had been struggling to get their point across to other programmers in the past. The day I could hand over my part of the project completed correctly for them was a great day. Aside from that, I’d have to say any time I can take my skills to students and young people to get them started in coding is a good day.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
The fact I am working in an industry I love is usually enough to keep me motivated. Over the course of the last few years, my company has been finding some really interesting projects for me to work on so motivation is rarely an issue.
What kind of business ideas excite you most?
I like to get involved in many different business ideas and projects including those which are related to building a brighter community for the future. Ideas which can impact the community are always important to me, and I’ve been enjoying the chance to become involved in peer-to-peer networking projects which allow users to add code to my work.
Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
We like to develop our marketing fluidly, but on a personal level, I have noticed the growing influence of social media as I have received a large amount of traffic through my Linkedin account.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
The work I have done to expand the education of programming and coding for students at high school level. All my professional work kind of pales in the shadow of helping bring coding and programming to students around the U.S. with the aid of my own professional experience and support.
What wisdom would you have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
When I first started out in coding and programming, I would have liked to have known how to explain to my clients that each of their requests cannot always be met. On many occasions, the budget and time restraints placed on a project limit the work I can complete, but I can still create an impressive program or piece of software to fit into any constraints.