Hi, I'm Kayla!

When I walked onto Maryville College's campus, I thought I was just there to study computer science. What I didn't realize was that MC was teaching me something far more valuable: how to learn, how to ask questions, and how to find help when I need it. Those skills have carried me through a career in web development - and more recently, through a cancer diagnosis that's tested everything I thought I knew about resilience.

Our professors ignited my curiosity in computer science, showing me that coding wasn't just about syntax and algorithms - it was about solving problems creatively and understanding systems deeply. That curiosity became the foundation of my career. The liberal arts curriculum, which required me to take classes far outside my major, gave me something unexpected: the ability to communicate complex technical concepts, think critically across disciplines, and approach problems from multiple angles. When you're debugging code under high pressure or explaining a technical solution to non-technical stakeholders, those skills matter more than any programming language.

Studying abroad through MC elevated me as a person in ways I'm still discovering. It taught me to navigate unfamiliar systems, adapt quickly, and find my footing in environments where I didn't have all the answers. Little did I know how much I'd need those exact skills later. To me, that's the beauty of reflecting on my college experience - the fact that I was unknowingly farming so many skills I'd carry with me for life. I may have not known, but Maryville College didn't design the curriculum by accident!

After graduating, I dove into the jungle of web development - and "jungle" is the right word. The landscape evolves so quickly that what you learned six months ago might already be obsolete. I worked as a contractor for multiple companies, building everything from e-commerce platforms to internal tools, learning new frameworks and technologies with each project. React, Node.js, APIs, databases, cloud deployment - the technical stack kept growing, but what MC taught me was more fundamental: how to study, how to keep learning, and how to research effectively when you don't know something.

When I took a career sabbatical to focus on raising my two young children, I didn't stop learning. Every spare moment - during naps, after bedtime, in those quiet early morning hours - I kept up with the evolving world of software development. I took online courses, contributed to open-source projects, and made sure that when I was ready to return, I'd be even more valuable than when I left.

After my sabbatical, I contracted at several companies as a web developer, working on real-world projects that continued to challenge me to become a better developer. I built responsive user interfaces, optimized database queries, debugged production issues under pressure, and collaborated with cross-functional teams. Each contract taught me something new - not just technically, but about how to communicate, adapt, and deliver value in different organizational cultures.

Then, in July 2025, I was diagnosed with classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Here's where my MC education became unexpectedly vital: I approached cancer the same way my professors taught me to approach code - with curiosity, research, and strategic problem-solving. I wasn't afraid to ask questions, even when the answers might be scary. I researched treatment options, advocated for preventive measures my oncologist hadn't mentioned, and discovered medical devices that dramatically improved my experience with chemotherapy. I knew my community had resources - I just had to find them and ask for help.

The liberal arts foundation MC gave me meant I had the skills to dive into medical literature even while processing the emotional weight of a cancer diagnosis. The educational foundation I received from Maryville College enhanced how I could write about my journey in ways that helps others, communicate effectively with my medical team, and research complex topics across multiple disciplines. Those philosophy and writing classes I thought were just degree requirements? They taught me how to articulate fear, find meaning in suffering, and document a journey that might help someone else facing the same impossible situation.

During treatment, I've maintained my technical skills and even launched a blog (https://cancersucks.life) where I share both my cancer journey and reflections on software development, life, and what it means to keep learning even when your body is fighting for survival. You can find my code on GitHub (https://github.com/picklebrownie) - proof that even chemo brain can't stop a developer who learned how to learn at Maryville College.

MC didn't just prepare me for a career in web development. It prepared me for life - for pivoting when plans change, for seeking help when I need it, for staying curious even in the darkest times, and for believing that with the right tools, community, and persistence, I can tackle any problem that comes my way.

Software development is my career. People are my passion. Maryville College gave me the foundation for both.

Sincerely,
Kayla