Team Q&A: Blake Herbert – Software Development Intern

From his sustainability efforts to his artistic expression, our Software Development Intern Blake Herbert is excited to learn how to leave the world a little better today than yesterday. Join me in welcoming Blake to the Virtual Peaker team!

How did your previous life prepare you for Virtual Peaker?

My passions have always included computers, technology, and creative problem-solving. Learning how to code has been a natural progression of my passions. I get a greater understanding of the constantly evolving technological world around me while holding the tools to make some changes of my own.

I owe most of my preparation to Code Louisville. I had a great time completing their Software Development course so I reentered the program and took their Web Development course too. Code Louisville provided me with excellent mentors who’ve helped guide me through both the technical and professional sides of coding and information technology. Code Louisville also offers opportunities outside of class to talk with professionals and job shadow software development teams. It was at one of Code Louisville’s tech meetup events that I first learned about Virtual Peaker’s internship program. I hope to one day return to Code Louisville as a mentor.

Tell us about your role at Virtual Peaker.

I’ve only been interning at Virtual Peaker for two weeks, but I’ve already gotten a lot of hands-on experience fixing bugs and making small adjustments to code. This has been an incredibly valuable experience because until now I’ve almost exclusively worked on my code. Working on pre-existing code is a different situation. Thankfully, everyone on the development team has been very welcoming and supportive of me when I need a hand. I’ve already learned a lot in my short time here and I look forward to seeing where I’ll go.

How do you personally engage in sustainability efforts?

I enjoy being outside and walking around the city, which means that I can often avoid driving when I need to get somewhere. I also like to carpool if I have the opportunity to avoid a solo ride. I often keep my windows open when the weather permits. When I need to use the central air, I keep the thermostat below 70 in the winter and in the higher 70s in the summer to reduce power usage. I try to be conscious of recycling what I can recycle, reducing my usage of single-use plastics, and reusing anything that can be used again.

What can you tell us about yourself?

I love to make music and attend as many local DIY concerts as I can. Louisville has an incredible music scene spanning many genres and styles of music. You can go to a show here and see an electronic DJ, a metalcore band, a hip-hop collective, and a rock act all perform at the same event. You’ll also find equally talented photographers and videographers in attendance not only documenting the events, but the community as well.

I also play in two separate weekly games of Dungeons and Dragons. I’m very fortunate to have friends willing to work hours to prepare fantasy worlds for us to explore. We never know how the games will go or what stories will be told, so we get to collectively flex our improvisational creative muscles playing characters for a few hours every week.