Hello.
I'm Nikolas Broman.
Check out
my code on GitHub.
hire_me ? contact_me : read_my_story
I'm currently studying full stack development via The Odin Project. It's a 1000-hour long course that teaches HTML, CSS, JS, Git, Ruby, SQL, Rails, Angular, React, and Vue.
But how did I get here? Why programming? Why web development?
As a child I played video games. My favourite series was Final Fantasy and I wanted more. When we got an internet connection about 20 years ago, I learned how to download older Final Fantasy games not released in Finland. But it wasn't enough. I wanted to make my own games.
I discovered RPG Maker, a tool to make your own role-playing games.
One of my strongest memories from RPG Maker is the programming concept if-then-else. For example: if a treasure chest is still unopened, then get treasure, else get nothing. I thought: "Wow, this is how games work!"
As a teenager I started to make my own music. I made rap beats that apparently sounded like video game music. Both genres heavily utilize loops: rap beats are repetitive and video game music usually loops until you reach the next area or event.
Loops are another important programming concept. With if-then-else and loops, you can supposedly program anything. So I was well prepared already at a young age :)
I studied Media Engineering in university 2008–2014, with a focus on web development. I found it fun and full of potential.
I also studied the basics of compter science and created a small music-composing progam in Java. If you'd like, you can download the .java files + documentation here (only in Finnish).
But... I was inspired even more by two "side quests", so it took a while before I got back on the path of programming and web development.
I went to Japan in 2009 and fell in love with the language, the country and game music concerts. I decided to learn Japanese and figure out how I could produce game music concerts myself. After some years of interviewing people involved in concerts I was ready.
In 2016 I founded my own company and produced concerts in Finland, Sweden, and Norway. My biggest event was Helsinki Game Music Festival in 2018. The festival had ~100 musicians (12 different musical groups) and ~1000 attendees, and was broadcasted in Finnish national TV news.
I also succeeded in learning Japanese. I worked as a Japanese teacher and translator, and I have achieved JLPT N1, which is the highest level in the standardized Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.
During the above "side quest years" I had web app ideas constantly on the back burner. I planned to develop them as soon as I had the time to learn to program better. But I never had enough time.
In 2018, I decided to pursue a career in full stack development. I thought it's something I enjoy doing in my free time anyway, so I might as well make a career out of it. I have already interviewed at several tech companies and am extremely inspired by their atmosphere.
Many of the companies seem to have a love for personal development and happiness at work. I cannot wait to be part of a positive spiral of helping with code, learning from seniors, learning proper development, becoming better, becoming more useful, taking on bigger roles, and hopefully helping others grow.
I am currently studying the Full Stack Ruby on Rails -course on The Odin Project. Most of my code is on GitHub. If you are in the Helsinki area and are interested in hiring me, please contact me. Else, thank you for taking the time to read my story. End.
PS. This website was created at the request of one of the companies I'm interviewing at. They wanted to see my HTML/CSS/JS skills. You can find this website's source code on GitHub.
E-mail:
nikolas.broman@gmail.com