1) Wait, you have a PhD? Why are you doing web development?
Why not? Yes, I have a PhD, but right now working directly with computers and new technologies is a better fit.
2) But don't you want to be a professor?
Yes, I did at various points in my life. But a lot of people I've talked to are unaware that a PhD doesn't guarantee you a job as a professor (especially in recent decades). Here's a simple example that might illuminate why:
Let's say a professor mentors about 10 new PhD students (in 30-ish years) before retiring. Even if the number of academic positions doubled or so with each generation, 80% of those PhD graduates have to find something else to do. The other 20% have to really want it and I admire the commitment and sacrifice they make. But that life turned out not to be for me.
Some of it came down to personal choice. I wanted a career with less travel that would allow my family to choose where to settle down. Like many others, I'm also fortunate enough to have numerous interests.
This article from the New York Times explains the situation fairly well. I also like this one from The Economist.
3) Bitter much about #1 and #2?
No, I just have strong feelings about academia and the stigma around leaving it. I know people who are too afraid to leave and pursue a new career primarily because they don't want to disappoint advisors, family, etc. That's not healthy for anyone.
4) You've been a web developer since 2016; why have none of your job titles had "web" in their names?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Email: matt@[thisSite]
Languages: Python (SciPy, Numpy, Matplotlib, Jupyter), JavaScript, PHP, Java
Research: Data Visualization, Numerical Modeling, Statistics, Technical Writing
Web: Laravel, Symfony, Django, MySQL, Bootstrap, HTML5, CSS, Apache, NGINX
Testing: Selenium, PHPUnit, Laravel Dusk, Codeception
Support: Git, Atlassian (Bitbucket, Jira, Confluence), GitHub, Jenkins, Bash scripting
OS: Linux (Ubuntu), Unix, Windows, MacOS
Rutgers University (2010-2015)
Ph.D./M.S. in Atmospheric Science (3.94)
Dissertation
University of Miami (2006-2010)
B.S. in Computer Science and Meteorology/Math (3.99)
(Web) Application Programmer
Stowers Resource Management, Inc.
(Supporting Stowers Institute for Medical Research)
(2017 - Present)
(Web) Application Developer
Rutgers University
(2016 - 2017)
Post Doctoral Associate
University of Miami
(2015 - 2016)
Try it out here! [Source Code]
A JavaScript prototype of a classic game - can you avoid the Whomper?
Try it out here! [Source Code]
You are a rectangular, colorful spelunker who can stretch and shrink on a whim! Pastel stalactites of varying heights will tease, taunt, and tempt you to remain as tall as you can for maximum points. Don't hit your head!
matt@[thisSite]