Meet Nikki Sato

How did you learn about PDXWIT and what keeps you coming back?

I learned about PDXWIT through attending Alchemy Code Lab, where we were encouraged to network while attending the bootcamp. What keeps me coming back is the community. When I attended my first PDXWIT Happy Hour event, it felt inclusive and friendly, and from that moment on I knew I wanted to go to the next event! Even with the Covid quarantine, PDXWIT is still being inclusive by having ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters at their events, which I love and appreciate! (I am hard of hearing.)

Can you give us some background on your career in tech? Did you intend this career path? 

Ever since I was young I have always been creative. I picked up the camera as a kid, and never put it down. I attended Portland State University and graduated with a Marketing and Advertising degree, which I thought could be combined with my love of photography to fuel my creative side. But I took some coding classes at Portland State University and fell in love with them, and intended to pursue programming further! I attended and graduated from the Alchemy Code Lab bootcamp to be one step closer to my objectives of becoming a Front-End Developer/Software Developer.

What was a travel experience or a change in fortune that impacted your life?
A travel experience that has impacted my life was a study abroad opportunity in summer 2018. I was based in London and studied Photography and Business Management. At the end of the program, I backpacked throughout Italy and France. This travel experience was also my first solo travel experience, and I was challenged with researching, organizing and planning the whole trip. As I was by myself, I also became quite resourceful at analyzing unforeseen situations and determining how to successfully navigate them. I have come through this experience with a new perspective on one’s ability when faced with challenges, and on life itself — plans change, so you must adapt and go for it!