I am writing to express my interest in the position I saw listed today for the Software Engineer III position at RIT. I’ll soon be approaching nearly two decades of experience in designing, developing, and deploying complex web-based applications, much of that at RIT both as a technical leader and educator; but I realize my path was a bit non-traditional and that just years of experience don’t always mean a perfect fit; which is why i’d like to chat more about this and explain my interests, skills and how they may align with this position. I also invite you to check out my website at https://www.jptweb.com where you can learn more about the projects I have worked on; and also working to give back to the community by providing tutorials and blogs to help people getting started in the field.

Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated a strong blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership. At RIT, I have served as an IT Strategist, Visiting Lecturer, and Adjunct Professor. A couple of the projects at RIT I remember most fondly are developing FeedMasher which powered a front and center part of the RIT homepage for about 4 years which is a dynamic system for aggregating digital content across multiple platforms. My experience in developing integrated systems for Enrollment Management and creating innovative digital solutions like “The Loop” social network. 

Some personal projects I have recently developed are an AI Portfolio building tool called Portfolio Queen and am currently developing an AI powered code playground for students learning to code called Hintorium, both of which highlight my ability to architect and implement scalable, web software-intensive systems. I also really enjoy using technology for good, and have implemented a initiative called From Code to Community, and currently am serving as a Mentor for Next Chapter Project a coding bootcamp that helps formerly incarcerated individuals get jobs in Software Engineering.

Outside of RIT I have recently been serving as a solutions architect at Accelerate Media. I am well-versed in agile methodologies (Scrum and Kanban) and have been working to implement DevOps practices, the use of Docker, and various CI/CD pipelines in this new role. 

I love the atmosphere of RIT, the creative minds, the optimism and am eager to return. I am particularly drawn to this opportunity at RIT because it would allow me to leverage my deep familiarity with the institution’s culture and technical environment to further enhance its IT solutions.  

My technical skill set aligns well with the requirements of this role. I have extensive experience with full-stack development using PHP, Laravel, HTML5, JavaScript, and modern web standards, as well as practical proficiency with relational databases including MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server.  Additionally, my experience as an educator at RIT has honed my ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and effectively, fostering an environment of continuous learning and innovation among students and colleagues alike.

Thank you for considering my application. Please feel free to contact me at 716-472-8834 or via email at jptkts@gmail.com to schedule a conversation.