The next chapter

About a year and a half ago I started looking for my next thing in a post-Tribune world and my first email was to my friend Peter Wang. A few months after we closed down Quickie Pickie talking about the future of Continuum Analytics and data science I joined as the Web and UX Architect. During my time there I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to almost every product with a UI that the company ships. Tools like Conda and Bokeh are changing the way people deal with packaging and visualization. Under Peter and Travis’ leadership I’m sure the brain trust that is assembled at Continuum will continue to redefine the space, but an opportunity has come up that I can’t pass up.

I was once asked in an interview to give advice to people starting in data journalism. I said, “become an expert, then start over.” I’m taking my own advice. I’m not starting over completely, but I am stepping out of my comfort zone. Starting the end of June I’m leaving the world of programming and design to become the Campus Director of The Iron Yard in Austin.

The team at TIY is full of some great people (including my good friend SamKap) and is doing something really important, providing an alternate route for becoming a professional programmer or designer. To say I’m stoked is an understatement. I’m sure I’ll have plenty to say over the coming months, but for now I’ll leave it with, see ya in Austin in a couple weeks!