Nicholas Ahlman

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the developer job opportunity and to highlight the unique set of skills and experiences I bring to the table. As a full stack developer with a diverse background, I believe I can contribute a valuable combination of technical expertise, managerial skills, and conflict management abilities.

 In terms of technical skills, I am proficient in JavaScript, React, Node.js, Express, and other essential web development technologies. My experiences in my capstone project as well as my freelance development work demonstrate my ability to create dynamic and interactive user interfaces, develop robust e-commerce websites, and design efficient databases for optimal website performance.

 What sets me apart is my background outside of the tech industry. During my time at Chicago Public Schools as a Contact Tracing Manager, I successfully managed a team responsible for 28 schools. This role honed my managerial skills and strengthened my ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders. I presented guidance and protocols to network executives and school administrators, resolving conflicts and prioritizing cases during challenging periods. Additionally, my experience as a driver at Lou Malnati's provided me with valuable conflict management skills. I handled difficult customer situations while maintaining exceptional customer service. I also acted as a bridge between management and cooking staff when language barriers existed, showcasing my ability to facilitate effective communication in diverse environments. 

By combining my technical skills with my managerial and conflict management abilities, I bring a unique perspective to problem-solving and teamwork. I excel in collaborating with clients to understand their vision, delivering projects that meet their goals and branding requirements. Furthermore, my experience in cross-browser compatibility and adherence to web standards ensures optimal website performance across various devices and platforms.

 I completed the Fullstack Academy Web Development Bootcamp and hold a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. These educational backgrounds have provided me with a solid foundation in problem-solving, analytical thinking, and attention to detail. In summary, my technical skills, managerial experience, and conflict resolution abilities make me a strong candidate for the developer job. I am confident that I can bring a unique perspective and make valuable contributions to your team. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss further how I can contribute to your organization. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely, 

Nicholas Ahlman

Freelance Work Chicago, IL Developer July 2023-Present 

● Collaborated with clients to understand their vision, goals, and branding requirements, translating them into functional websites. 

● Communicated effectively with clients to provide project updates, address concerns, and ensure customer satisfaction. 

● Ensured cross-browser compatibility and adherence to web standards for optimal website performance across various devices and platforms. Chicago Public Schools Chicago, IL Contact

 Tracing Manager October 2021-June 2023 

● Managed a team of Contact Tracers responsible for 28 schools.

 ● Presented guidance and new protocols to network executives and school administrators. 

● Developed interpersonal skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse set of people about a sensitive topic. 

● Mitigated issues by case prioritization and conflict resolution during Covid-19 surges. ● Trained Contact Tracers on navigating ServiceNow and other program developments. 

Lou Malnati’s Chicago, IL Driver August 2020-September 2021 

● Managed situations with historically difficult customers while maintaining a high level of customer service. 

● Communicated and coordinated with staff and managers to ensure the highest level of service. 

● Aided in translation between management and cooking staff when there was a language barrier.

Fullstack Academy Web Development Bootcamp March 2023 - June 2023 

Web Development Certificate Full-time, Full Stack Javascript Web Development

During the full-stack coding bootcamp, I covered a comprehensive set of web development skills that have prepared me for a career as a full-stack developer.

The curriculum began with the fundamentals of web development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I learned how to create structured web pages with HTML, apply CSS for styling, and add interactivity using JavaScript.

Moving forward, I delved into front-end frameworks like React and Angular. These frameworks allowed me to build dynamic and interactive user interfaces efficiently.

On the back-end side, I gained proficiency in server-side programming languages, such as JavaScript with Node.js. This enabled me to handle data and implement business logic on the server.

Database management was another crucial aspect of the bootcamp. I learned to work with databases like PostgreSQL to store, retrieve, and manage data effectively.

APIs were also a vital part of the training. I gained the knowledge and skills to create and consume APIs, facilitating seamless communication between web applications and external services.

Throughout the bootcamp, I familiarized myself with version control using Git, which proved to be invaluable for collaboration and code management.

Deploying web applications on real servers was a significant milestone. I gained hands-on experience in hosting my projects on platforms like netlify and fly.io.

Following best practices in software development was emphasized, covering aspects such as writing clean and well-documented code, conducting comprehensive testing, and optimizing performance.

Working collaboratively on group projects provided insights into effective teamwork and project management, simulating real-world development environments.

Security principles were also addressed to ensure that the applications we build are robust and protected against common threats.

Overall, the full-stack coding bootcamp was an intense and rewarding experience. I now feel well-prepared and excited to embark on my journey as a professional full-stack developer.