Meet Our Graduates

TJ is from Pittsburgh, PA where he works as a Web Developer at WH Digital Agency, WordPress hosting for various clients. He transitioned from accounting into software engineering with no prior coding experience. Academy PGH “8 the Gr8” In his words TJ states, “Academy Pittsburgh is a life-changer”. In his spare time, he is an avid reader, songwriter, lover of all music, and recently incorporated his own clothing line, Root 28 Clothing.

I was a graphic designer and illustrator trying to teach myself web development when I decided to apply to Academy Pittsburgh. Now I work with a web-based software company for nonprofits and small businesses!

Currently having a blast at PNC, where I'm knee deep in JavaScript/Angular/Java on a fun team of 20-somethings. After bootcamp I spent a year with SDLC/Highmark. In a former life I logged 10 years of teaching HS math in Chicago, and another 10+ as a SAHD/house flipper/cabinet maker. June 2020 will mark my 15th year in Pittsburgh.

My name is D'Metrius -- many call me Meech. I began my career in programming with no idea what a null reference was or that c# was said 'C Sharp' not 'C Hashtag'. After 6 months of rigorous learning and challenging sessions at Academy, I came out with the skill set to obtain a job as a Junior Developer at an agency called Brunner. If you want to broaden your horizons and chart a new course for your career, then look no further than Academy PGH.

Liz started coding as a hobby in middle school and kept up with it for fun. She attended Academy to round out her skills and solidify a career change. She now works as a full-time web developer in a director position downtown, and lives in the South Hills with her husband and several foster cats.

After ten plus years of working in maintenance, I decided I needed a change in my life. I was tired of coming to work every day and just going through the motions of the same routine. I wanted to work somewhere where I could be challenged. I wanted a career where I could grow and do work that could potentially make a change and that's what led me to pursue a career in tech. With the coding skills and networking opportunities that Academy Pittsburgh provided, I plan to pursue a job in back-end development.

With formal training in photography and a passion for illustration, Hayes came to Academy with a work history focused around clerical/assistant work and project management. While she still finds time for artistic endeavors, her life after Academy now includes a job as a software developer for Aspirant, building and managing web and phone apps for ever-changing clientele.

Jesse is originally from Denver, CO. Since moving to Pittsburgh, he has been a music teacher, teen librarian, and improv coach. He was extremely jazzed to be part of Academy PGH and to learn how to make cool things with computers! In his spare time, Jesse likes to play piano and write sketch comedy.