Just before graduating from university with a mechanical engineering degree, Jason Morton came up with a business idea, but it needed a website. After meeting with several web designers and developers, Jason decided that instead of hiring someone to create the website for him, he was inspired to learn to code and build one for himself.
As soon as Jason began coding, he was hooked and shortly after his learning experience began – while working full time as an Automation Engineer – Jason set himself the career goal of becoming a freelance web designer and developer within two year.
Today, that aspiration is a reality. Jason is a thriving full-time web developer at web agency Webbiz.ie, where he heads up all Ecommerce and WordPress projects for clients all over the world. But what’s more, Jason is able to confidently say he has a great job that he enjoys.
Jason’s learning path also doesn’t stop there. His next goal is to become a fully fledged app developer, so he’s now sprinting his way through Treehouse’s iOS with Swift courses.
We asked Jason to share his experience with us. Here’s his story, in his own words…
Treehouse has given me the skills to confidently get a great job and work on exciting projects for clients all over the world. To me, Treehouse means empowerment to do what you love.
I’m Jason, an Irish mechanical engineering graduate turned web geek. I had almost finished my studies and came to realize through a business idea that we needed a website. The site would service the potential customers. After getting some feedback on pricing and development, I had this gut feeling, I wanted to be one of those guys I was chatting too, it kicked off from there.
I began to do some simple free courses online and wrote my first hello world with such enjoyment, but something was missing, the was no real “all in one” free course available, I thought I’m going to have to invest in another degree! Enter Treehouse, within the free trial period I was hooked. I had a full-time job as an Automation Engineer while I was endeavoring on this journey of self-betterment, but my goal was clear, within two years I wanted to be a freelance developer/designer in the world of web design.
With the help of Treehouse, I am now working as a full-time developer with a great web agency Webbiz.ie in Dublin. Our team here is very talented and it was intimidating at first being the new guy on the block, but I quickly saw that the knowledge I gained at Treehouse was all I needed to thrive. I now head up all the custom Ecommerce and WordPress projects. I can safely say my dream has come true and my goals are being met with the help of Treehouse.
I love PHP and designing great sites that meet our client needs, but my next challenge is single page apps. I’m currently on Treehouse’s full stack JavaScript Track, and after that my ambition is to go native with Swift for iOS.
I have met my 2-year goal and my next 2-year goal is to be a fully fledged app developer. I am a Treehouse student for life. Treehouse has given me the skills to confidently get a great job and work on exciting projects for clients all over the world. To me, Treehouse means empowerment to do what you love.
For those who are just starting out, I would say don’t give up! Success comes with time, be patient with yourself and never get frustrated. If you’re stuck, use the Community. The moderators, teachers and other students are so helpful you will feel like family very quickly. It’s a great part to the learning here at Treehouse and a real asset to you.
I can’t say enough how important it is to go and try use the knowledge you just learned in a Track, this is the key to keeping it locked inside. Do a Track and try to apply it to something you are passionate about. For example, say you like football and you have just completed the Web Design Track, why not build your favorite player’s profile page? It will benefit you so much.
To read more awesome student success stories, check out the Treehouse Stories Page.