Michael Lackey
Michael is a software engineer with a proven track record in healthcare. He has a passion for people and loves to tackle complex problems. As a seasoned leader and educator, Michael is driven to help those he works with to see their potential. He is currently an Instructor Lead for Software Engineering Immersive programs at General Assembly.
IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL:
What is your favorite technical skill to work with on your own projects and why?
MERN stack for its ease of use and quick setup. I find it is flexible and allows me to pivot quickly for my clients when their needs change.
What is your favorite technical skill to teach to students and why?
I love teaching React to my students. In a few short days, they are empowered with all the basics they need to quickly get a website online and functional. This is a great confidence booster for students who may have struggled through other portions of the course, and I love to see them reinvigorated when we get to this unit. It helps reinforce the FACT that ANYONE can be a software engineer if they put forth the effort. React is such a great tool to drive that point home.
What is most important to you about teaching technical skills at General Assembly?
For me, it’s the message to individuals who may have been hesitant to enter tech prior to the course that they can learn these skills and quickly apply them at a high level. I want my students to go home each evening feeling they have learned skills that they can put into practice on their own, and build on with a little research and effort. In tech, the learning can’t ever stop, so I think it’s so important to not only teach our students specific in-demand technical skills, but most importantly to turn them into self-teachers for their future.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to learn technical skills to reach new career goals?
Just START! Don’t be afraid to take the jump and try to learn ANYTHING. So many of my students found they were perfectly capable, just didn’t know where to begin. You have to have the same attitude of “dress for the job you want” when it comes to tech. No programming language or technical skill is out of reach.
What would you like to highlight about your experience in your technical domain outside of teaching?
My background is in leading teams large and small to extremely successful results in healthcare. I manage my students the same way I managed my employees in those scenarios - by empowering them to be the best version of themselves they can be and to all aim at the same lofty goals. The result was and is collective excellence.
WHAT MICHAEL’S STUDENTS ARE SAYING...
”Michael is very engaging, particularly in this online format, which can sometimes present challenges for communication. He is extremely patient and encouraging and generally makes learning a difficult subject seem easy and straightforward.”