Nicholas Brader

Background

About Nicholas Brader

If you were to ask me 10 years ago where I think I'd end up after university, I probably would have told you I'd be working for some big civil engineering firm, or some government infrastructure agency. I don't think the thought that I'd be exiting the University of Pittsburgh early would have ever crossed my mind. However, sometimes life likes to throw a curveball every once in a while. What matters is if you hang in there, change up your swing, and pull it to left field. It was humbling, to say the least, to come back home and face the reality that I'd have to start attending the local community college to get myself back on my feet. However, a fresh start was exciting. So I dug in, put my head down, and finished my Associate's degree, all the while working very close to a full week at the seafood department at Wegmans. I'm still convinced that job has permanently damaged my sense of smell. Before making the decision to select my next university, or making a second run at Pitt, I made the now great choice to apply at a few companies to see if I can get my foot in the door in the software development industry. I was fortunate enough to get called back by two companies, and funny enough, was hired by both. I worked for the first company for about a month as an analyst that only dabbled in code before I received the call from Andesa to come in for an interview as a full blown developer. Now, here I am over 5 years later at a great company that took a chance on me, and I've enjoyed every minute.