Introduction

Hi, everyone! My name is John DeRusso, and this blog is going to focus on my coding journey.

I’ve been into computers since I was a kid. I vividly remember my dad taking me to a class on Windows 95 back when it was the hot new thing (almost 30 years ago!). Since then, I have been the computer expert in my family and for many of my friends, but it took me a long time to get into coding. That really only started in my late 20s.

I was working as a patent attorney at the time and, like many, struggling to find success during the Great Recession. I don’t remember what inspired me to give coding a try (beyond the generally solid job prospects for software developers). I’m glad I did though because I’ve enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting to. I can get into the zone in a way that, unfortunately, I’ve never been able to do in patent law.

Eventually, I figured I should formalize my education and began my computer science journey with Oregon State University in the summer of 2019. Since I work full time, I’ve been taking one course at a time through the online post-bacc program, with a couple of breaks for some major transitions (new job and later new city).

Here I am now working on my capstone project (the impetus for this blog), with only two more electives to go. I’m still not sure what I’ll do with my degree. I’ve considered trying to find a job as a software developer, but there’s also plenty of opportunity to use a CS degree within patent law. Right now, I’m working as a patent examiner at the US Patent and Trademark Office and leaning towards sticking around for the foreseeable future. Who knows though? Maybe this capstone project will lead somewhere new.