Meet the Newest Team Members to Hack Upstate!
We recently added to new members to our operations team at Hack Upstate and would love to introduce them to the community. Karin Thorne & Ariel Murphy have already started helping not only the students but administratively in our Careers in Code program.
Read on to learn more about our newest team members as we welcome them to Hack Upstate.
Karin Thorne
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’m not your typical fullstack software developer story. I am a mother of 3 children, married to an amazing man who decided to change her career path that some would consider late in life. I am determined to show not only my children but others that you can achieve anything, especially your goals and dreams with some dedication, hard work and a little bit of grit.
How did you get involved with Hack Upstate?
I first became involved with Hack Upstate when I applied to be a student of the first Careers in Code cohort. I had originally planned on trying to become a software developer by going to college. I went outside my comfort zone and attended a local meetup called OpenHack. That’s where I met Jesse Peplinski and learned about Careers in Code. I decided to take a chance and apply to the program. After graduating from the cohort I remained involved by becoming a TA for cohort 2 and cohort 3 and now program manager and TA for cohort 4
What aspect of helping to organize Hack Upstate are you most excited about?
I am really looking forward to helping Hack Upstate continue to grow Careers in Code so that there can be multiple cohorts in the future. I would love to be able to help get not only companies locally more involved but also companies outside of Syracuse involved. Fighting poverty in Syracuse and the surrounding areas is important to me and I would love to help combat it. I would also love to help by getting more women involved and break the stigma that software development and tech related jobs are predominantly male dominated jobs. Many people don’t really think about the women behind significant events in our history, like landing on the moon. I want to help change that thinking and show the community not only in Syracuse but everywhere that women are equal to men in the tech community.
What are you most looking forward to in the Syracuse tech scene?
I’m looking forward to new and upcoming developers entering the Syracuse tech community and seeing them help others enter it. I can’t wait to see the poverty level decline and the neighborhoods become filled with people who are proud of what they have accomplished. Syracuse has so much potential and I would like to help in any way I am able to help.
What do you do outside of Hack Upstate?
Outside of Hack Upstate you can find me in a few different places. I like to spend time at home with my family but I also enjoy spending time outside, going on adventures and creating new memories. If I’m not doing that, you might find me out in my backyard practicing archery or getting ready for hunting season. Finally you can also find me either recording or editing episodes for my podcast Salt City Code because now that the pandemic is not as rampant, I can get back to interviewing guests to share their tech journeys.
Ariel Murphy
Tell us a little bit about yourself
Having completed the Bootcamp in Cohort 2, and then becoming a Teaching Assistant in Cohort 3, I take pride in the opportunity of moving forward to being one of the Program Managers of Careers in Code as time progresses. I also will be continuing my position as one of the Teaching Assistants into Cohort 4 as well.
How did you get involved with Hack Upstate?
I began code in the Myspace days, creating templates and editing widgets for others to use. In 2017 I began my business for graphic and Web Design utilizing WordPress, serving small start up businesses in bringing their products and services up to date in a digital age. After a few years I wanted to expand my skill set closer to my previous passions and ended up involved with Cohort 2.
What aspect of helping to organize Hack Upstate are you most excited about?
I am most excited about the opportunity for cohort students In Careers in Code to advance potentially out of poverty and into the technology sector. I know that my time in Careers in Code taught me not only code, but perseverance and determination; self-accountability and introspection; and the networking needed to push my goals forward. I was personally treated with respect and assistance despite my social class, gender, or economic status and I love the feeling of shared achievement from the students when they put in the work and dedication knowing they have one less barrier with Careers in Code.
What are you most looking forward to in the Syracuse tech scene?
In the Syracuse tech scene, I would love to see the growth of women-and minority run tech startups, as well as more paid opportunities for entry-level tech positions.
What do you do outside of Hack Upstate?
When I am not spending time helping the organization and growth of Hack Upstate and the Careers in Code program, I can be found working on standup routines, cooking up new recipes, or listening to true crime podcasts and documentaries. If I am hanging out with my children or partner we can be found playing D&D, fishing or exploring local trails, or playing horror video games.
