Megan Hawkins

Hi, my name is Megan! I’m a former lawyer turned software engineer and educator. After graduating from General Assembly’s part-time Software Engineering program in 2022, I joined GA as an Instructional Associate. Since November 2022, I’ve been passionate about helping students grow and thrive in this dynamic field. Teaching allows me to share my love for technology while guiding others on their own career transitions..

IN CONVERSATION WITH MEGAN:

What is your favorite technical skill to work with on your own projects and why?

I love exploring different technologies and continuously growing my skill set. Lately, I’ve really enjoyed deepening my knowledge of React with frameworks like Next.js. I find it exciting to see how new tools can enhance performance and improve the developer experience.

I love teaching JavaScript fundamentals because they lay the foundation for so much. It’s especially rewarding to see students go from struggling with basic concepts to confidently building full-stack applications using the MERN stack. Watching that growth and seeing students have “aha” moments is one of the most fulfilling parts of teaching.

For me, the most important part of teaching at General Assembly is creating an environment where students feel supported and empowered to learn. Technical skills can feel intimidating at first, but with the right guidance, students can build confidence and resilience. I want to help them not just learn the material but also develop a problem-solving mindset that will serve them well throughout their careers.

Be kind to yourself during the learning process. Learning to code is exciting and opens up so many opportunities, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Consistency, determination, and a willingness to embrace challenges are key to success. There will be days when everything clicks and days when things feel extra difficult—that’s completely normal. The important thing is to keep going, trust the process, and remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

While my primary technical experience comes from teaching, I also love working on personal projects that expand my skills and solve real problems in my daily life. Whether it’s building small applications to automate tasks or experimenting with new technologies, I enjoy the creative side of coding and the freedom to build things that are both functional and fun.

WHAT MEGAN’S STUDENTS ARE SAYING...

"Megan brought an unparalleled brightness to the room. She always calmed me down and helped me realize my potential. They always put the students first, no matter what task was at hand. Thank you for always being so kind and gentle, even when I wasn't to myself."