A love for the environment led me to get involved in grassroots community organizing where I helped develop leaders in offices across a national network of non-profits. This experience taught me the power of grit and teamwork in reaching goals.

My passion for creativity and technological prowess ultimately led me to the realm of computer science. I designed ProvBeats.com, a platform that combined my creative vision and technical skills with my leadership abilities. It has grown to become a hub for local artists with over 100 members, a recording studio and live band.

Designing the website for international jazz saxophonist Greg Abate was a dream come true, combining my technical skills and passion for music, further showcasing my abilities as a versatile web designer.

Currently, I am preparing for the ISTQB Software Testing Certification and offering freelance software testing services while seeking full-time employment. In my free time, I enjoy revisiting Wei-Meng Lee’s "Python Machine Learning", which was a required text for Introduction to Artificial Intelligence.

You can view my portfolio website at https://chriscoates.dev

The potential of AI and Blockchain fueled my ambition to become proficient in tech. This drove me to pursue a BA in Computer Science and a minor in Web Development, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Rhode Island College. I then went on to earn a certificate in Relational Databases and SQL from Stanford Online. To keep my skills sharp I tutored college-level computer science and business courses. Grit, dedication to learning and involvement in clubs and organizations, including the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society, Information Security Club and Software Engineering Club helped me maintain relationships with peers and excel despite the challenges of a pandemic. I've also created several websites and school projects.

The ability to create useful applications and systems from rudimentary elements, allowing me to combine my creative and technical skills.