Team Q&A: Keith Flynn – Software Development Intern

Getting his start through Code Kentucky, our Software Development Intern Keith Flynn was ready for a challenge. From his sustainability efforts to his work streamlining our code, join us in welcoming Keith to the Virtual Peaker team!

How did your previous life prepare you for Virtual Peaker?

Allof my life I’ve been drawn to technology, but coding seemed like a distant, unattainable goal until the day a friend told me about Code Kentucky. I enrolled in Data Analysis with Python and couldn’t get enough, leading me to return to Web Development with JavaScript. The program was an absolute joy and the mentors are some of the most helpful people that I’ve ever met. I plan on returning next month for Code Kentucky’s Software Development with C# class to learn even more about development and backend programming.

Tell us about your role at Virtual Peaker.

My role is Software Development Intern, and though I’ve only been doing it for a short while, I have already learned a tremendous amount about the company, the code base, and the industry. You begin with smaller issues and gradually tackle more and more engaging and complex problems as you grow in familiarity with the software. It’s very exciting to have to learn new ways of solving problems while at the same time making a contribution that helps out the planet. It’s also exciting to make real changes that contribute to the engineering team and watch as these changes enter production. The culture at Virtual Peaker has been fantastic and I cannot speak highly enough about the kindness and friendliness of everyone I’ve met.

How do you personally engage in sustainability efforts?

I walk, cycle, or even sometimes scoot to almost all of the places I need to get around to. Luckily my home is situated in an accommodating location for most of my needs, and soon we hope to become a one-car household. Beyond just reducing the amount of carbon my vehicle emits, I try to be a fervent recycler, and a water conservationist, and to reduce the amount of meat in my diet.

What can you tell us about yourself?

I like to stay fit, both to feel better all-around and to fight stress. If I stray from a fitness routine for too long my body starts to get stiff and hurt, which is plenty of motivation. If not exercising at home, I love just getting out to walk around in my neighborhood. I also enjoy rejuvenating old computers, cooperative video games, and discovering new music. Someday soon I hope to learn to knit so that I can start giving afghans to my friends and family.

My wife and I have two dogs and a cat, named Ser Duncan the Tall, Cheese Tony, and Tomato. Having no kids of our own, they run the household while we simply dote on them and make sure they want for nothing. We will be celebrating our second anniversary shortly before this blog is published.