Unlock Your Potential in Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML, and More with me - University of Pennsylvania CIS Graduate

Learn more about Mike

• Can you tell us about your first experience using a computer?

  I was about 10, and my family had just gotten a bulky old PC that ran Windows 98. It had dial-up internet (which meant no phone calls while I was online!) and a few basic games, but what hooked me was trying to figure out how it all worked. I remember breaking the computer once by accident-deleted a system file thinking it was junk. Instead of getting scared, I got curious. That curiosity eventually led me to Python years later.

• What is the technological evolution that has marked you most and what will be, in your eyes, a turning point in this field?

  For me, it's the rise of open-source programming. Tools like Python, GitHub, and Stack Overflow have made learning code accessible to everyone. It shifted programming from something locked behind university doors to a community where people help each other grow. Looking ahead, I think the next major shift is happening right now-AI-assisted programming. Tools that help you write or understand code faster are changing the game, especially for beginners.

• Explain your expertise, your interest in it and, more broadly, its importance in the computer world.

  I specialize in Python because it's like the "gateway language"-simple enough for beginners, powerful enough for professionals. I've used it in automation, data analysis, web development, and even tiny side projects like making a to-do app for myself. I love how Python helps turn ideas into reality, fast. It's not just about writing code; it's about solving problems in creative, logical ways-and that mindset is valuable in almost every career today.

• Do so-called 'visionaries', such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg inspire you or do you have other role models?

  They've definitely paved the way, but I'm more inspired by everyday problem-solvers-like a friend of mine who automated an Excel task at work and saved her team hours every week. Or teachers on YouTube who explain tricky Python concepts in a friendly, down-to-earth way. Those are the people who remind me that tech is for everyone, not just big names in Silicon Valley.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I once had a Python project where nothing worked for two days straight. I was stressed, sleep-deprived, and seriously questioning my life choices. Then I realized I'd been using a single equals sign = instead of == in a condition. One tiny mistake, big consequences. It taught me not just to be careful-but to laugh at my mistakes and learn from them. Now, I always remind students: it's okay to break things-that's how you grow.

• What would you say to an uncomfortable person in front of a screen who says that "IT is too complicated"?

  I'd smile and say, "You don't have to learn everything at once. Start with one small thing-like writing a Python script that greets you by name. You'll be surprised how quickly it clicks." The biggest hurdle is usually mindset, not ability. I focus on helping students take small steps and build confidence from the start.

• What are your other passions, related or non-related to computers?

  I love music-especially playing guitar-and I've recently been experimenting with using Python to generate music with code (it's nerdy, I know, but fun!). I also enjoy reading sci-fi, cooking, and cycling. I think it's important to stay curious in many areas. That curiosity spills over into how I teach.

• What makes you a Superprof in IT?

  I make things click. I don't just teach syntax-I teach how to think like a programmer. I use real-world examples, analogies, and humor to make coding feel less scary and more human. Whether you're brand new to Python or trying to level up, I create a space where questions are welcome, mistakes are expected, and progress is celebrated.