Welcome to my Software Development Portfolio

Hello, I am a passionate software developer based in Chesapeake, Virginia. No matter what I may find my post-graduation career in, I strive to do work that makes a difference! My deepest values lie in preserving the environment and spreading positivity and I try to exhibit these values daily. It took me some time to find my career path as I have experimented with many jobs in the past, but my passion for computer science is now strong and I hope that you will agree with that statement after reading a little more about me and how I am currently progressing.

I'm the second person from the right in the header (I now have short hair)

Best Skillsets

Programming (Github)

My experience at JMU has exposed me to seven programming languages, which I am working to expand on.

Leadership/ Communication

(JMU's Leadership Training)

I have worked with many teams and understand the importance of empathy and flexibility.

Algorithmic Analysis/ Parallelism

I have studied the benefits of various algorithmic models and how to optimize software performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you desire in a career?

Software engineering is a very generic term and I'm okay with that. My greatest interests lie in making technology/ programs more efficient, so I cannot accurately describe my specific interests. However, I will add that I love to work with my hands whenever I can.

What I ultimately seek is the opportunity to work with a team to grow as a computer scientist and solve real-world problems.

What programming languages do you know?

In order from my best to worst programming languages, I have worked with C, Java, Rust, Python, Ruby, Haskell, and SQL. I believe that I have spread myself a little thin in learning so many technologies and concepts in a short span, so I am working on furthering my current skills.

What experience do you have as a leader?

My two best experiences as a leader are from being Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (second-highest authority) in Boy Scout Troop 828 as well as my training to become an empathetic leader through JMU's Make Your Mark on Madison program.

Overall, being a leader is about understanding your group's strengths and how to individually adjust your methods rather than applying rules that only benefit the majority. A leader should help everyone!

What jobs have you worked in the past?

As I found my passion in computing, I officially worked as a dishwasher, cashier, "house mover", eye doctor's assistant, warehouse associate, and sandwich artist to support myself. Although this is a scattered work history, it taught me how to work with many different kinds of people, so I would consider myself a reliable team player.

“John is our 'idea guy'. He is always patient to hear our ideas and think about how to combine and improve them.”

— JMU Autonomous Drone Team

Contact me

I welcome anyone to contact me

Location (I'm open to moving and traveling)

John Speicher
Chesapeake, Virginia, United States

About Me

To describe myself in one word, I would say that I am a mellow person because I am often patient and calm. I used to get stressed or frustrated easily, but I now rationalize my way through life and understand the value of patience. I can also be adventurous, so I love to try new things and talk to the different people I come across. In my free time, I love to make art, spend time at the beach or hike in the mountains (depending on where I am), and play video games!

Thank you for reading this far! It means a lot to me that you show interest in my journey, and I would love to hear any advice or comments you may have for me. Take care!