Troy Swayzee

Software Engineer and Instructor Lead, General Assembly

Online

I've worked in various roles since completing GA's web development immersive program in 2018, ranging from data analytics with machine learning to writing system-to-system integrations. I'm super-psyched to be a GA instructor, where I get to share my passion and knowledge with students from all different backgrounds.

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

I enjoy working with databases. It's like combining structure, logic, and storytelling. Designing schemas and setting up queries feels like building the backbone of an application because everything depends on it. Data can become very insightful, especially as the app grows.

I'd say Express. Students tend to find it very rewarding because it bridges the gap between frontend and backend, it's where everything starts to click. There's an instant sense of accomplishment when students send their first successful request or connect to a database, and it often sparks curiosity about how the entire web stack communicates.

Growth. I love watching learners evolve over the course of the cohort. From feeling intimidated by code to confidently building and presenting their own applications. That transformation in skill and self-belief is the most fulfilling part of teaching for me!

Don't be afraid to break things. When you experiment, push boundaries, and debug your own messes, that's where the real learning happens! Technical skills aren't about memorizing syntax, the treasure lies in curiosity, resilience, and learning how to think through problems.

I've built and maintained numerous projects as a developer. Engineering is incredibly diverse! I could be working on a new React feature one day, and pulling data from a database to spin up a quick Tableau dashboard the next. I love how technical skills can flex across so many contexts, and staying hands-on helps me bring that real-world perspective back into the classroom!