My name is Jimmy Robertson and I was a student at SetFocus in quarter two of 2008. Throughout my time at SetFocus, the thing that stuck out the most for me was the commitment to more than just presenting information. Yes there was teaching, but there was a commitment that each SetFocus student would be given the opportunity to actually learn and understand all of the concepts. With the career development provided by SetFocus, I graduated with three different job offers already on the table. Because of my experiences, it was really not a difficult decision to accept a position with SetFocus as a developer and Project Support TA. I wanted to be a part of giving what I was given, rather than just a developer. So at SetFocus, I get the best of both worlds. I get to develop new applications, support existing applications, and help others that are just as passionate as me about developing to enhance their skill set and ensure their future as well.

One of the best parts of any TA week is something that I’ve always called the “Ah-Ha moment” back when I was a student. We have all had them…those moments in class where something that you thought you were never going to understand, finally clicks. And you fully understand it from then on. In the SetFocus classrooms, as instructors and TA’s, we get to witness a bunch of these moments. When you watch this happen for students, you can always see the struggle and confusion in their face before they verbalize it. At first, they might not even be able to know what question they should be asking. Then the question comes. And there are possibly several attempts, on my part, to explain it as I try to figure out where they are missing the key piece. Then the looks on their face changes instantly; the looks of confusion are replaced with a genuine expression of understanding. You know they have it and you can see it written all over their face.

And in an instant, there is a new expression. Now they have a look that says: I can see exactly how I will use this in the future. Seeing that look takes away the fears that you have for them and makes it all seem worthwhile. Whether it is something simple like how values are passed or something bigger that lets them see how everything fits together as one piece, the reward of seeing the “Ah-Ha moment” reminds you that we at SetFocus are changing people’s lives every day. The skills offered at SetFocus make our students marketable, even in this troubled economy, and it is so great to know that I had a hand in making that happen.

Jimmy