Technical Training Pays Off for Rebel With a Cause
By DR. STEVE TIGER
Superintendent
STAR PROGRAMMER: Mark Stewart, a graduate of Tulsa Tech’s mobile app development and web programming class, utilized his training to earn a lucrative position as an application developer for Saltus Technologies in Tulsa.
Courtesy Tulsa Tech
Like many young people, Mark Stewart wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted to do. He just knew what he didn’t want to do and that was become a computer language programmer like his father.
“I had grown up around programming my entire life,” Stewart said. “And for whatever reason, the young rebel in me would think, ‘I really don’t want to do what my Dad does.”
The 23-year-old wasn’t sure what career he wanted to pursue; he had explored traditional higher education but at the time it just never seemed to be the right fit.
“I had been in and out of college a few times,” Stewart says. “Then after I decided to try Tulsa Tech it just clicked, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Initially, Stewart was interested in the network administration program, but then he noticed the mobile app development and web programming course, which sounded really interesting, so he decided to give it a try. This young rebel soon discovered what many of us already know; often the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree, and it didn’t take long for the new programming student to catch the eye of Mr. Frank Hill, one of Tulsa Tech’s web programming instructors.
“I noticed that Mark was working on something that looked very advanced and not in our beginning book,” Hill said. “When he explained what he was working on, I was very impressed, and I immediately realized he was wasting his talents working at the job he had at the time.”
Stewart is quick to give Mr. Hill credit for much of the success he’s achieved and offer some valuable advice to future students in the class.
“Mr. Hill really challenged me to be better at everything I did, and today I’m a much better person for it,” Stewart says. “And I would advise new students to do what he says; don’t test him, it’s just not worth it.”
All kidding aside, it’s very clear that both instructor and student have a lot of respect for each other, and both have enjoyed sharing this successful journey, which resulted in a full-time position for Stewart as a programmer at Saltus Technologies. This software development company provides the digiTICKET system for many public safety and law enforcement agencies, a customized product that replaces the inefficient, manual, paper-based process of writing tickets with an automated, electronic process, reducing time and increasing productivity, efficiency and safety.
“My goal was to find a career which would allow me to support a family,” Stewart said. “Mr. Hill’s class and the training I received have not only done that, but also provided me with a 380-percent pay increase and a career that will enable me to continue to move forward.”
Mr. Hill feels the future is bright for his former student and that Stewart has the ability to go much farther as an application developer.
“I’m very proud of Mark and everything he’s accomplished,” Hill said. “He will always be a great individual and a strong asset for any organization that chooses to employ him.”
Tulsa Tech is also proud of Mark Stewart, and we wish him the very best. However, we do wonder when this rebel will realize he’s a programmer, just like his father.
If you’re currently looking for quality business and industry training, exciting evening and weekend classes, or wish to develop a life-changing career, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 918-828-5000 or visit us online at tulsatech.edu.
Updated 12-16-2013
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