Laura Van Dyke
About Laura Van Dyke
Laura Van Dyke is a software engineer with a diverse background in public affairs and technology. She has experience in various roles, including policy assistant, outreach coordinator, and clinical project coordinator, and currently works at Loop as a software engineer.
Current Role at Loop
Laura Van Dyke currently serves as a Software Engineer at Loop, where she has been employed since 2022. In this role, she utilizes her expertise in software development to contribute to various projects and initiatives. Prior to this position, she worked as a Support Software Engineer at Loop from 2021 to 2022, where she provided technical support and assistance to enhance software performance.
Previous Experience in Software Engineering
Before her current role, Laura gained valuable experience in the software engineering field through her training at The Grace Hopper Program at Fullstack Academy in 2021. During this 11-month program, she developed her skills in full stack development. Additionally, she has experience with machine learning libraries like TensorFlow.js and ml5, as well as database management using PostgreSQL.
Education and Training
Laura holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Calvin College, which she completed from 2007 to 2011. She furthered her education by attending Fullstack Academy, where she completed a Software Engineering Immersive program in 2021. This combination of formal education and immersive training has equipped her with a solid foundation in both philosophy and technology.
Background in Public Affairs and Development
Laura has a diverse background that includes roles in public affairs and development. She worked as a Policy Assistant at PFLAG from 2011 to 2012 and held multiple positions at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2012 to 2017, including Outreach Coordinator and Public Affairs Specialist. Additionally, she served as a Business Development Service Agent with the Peace Corps in Senegal from 2019 to 2020, where she developed her communication and relationship-building skills.
Technical Skills and Specializations
Laura specializes in the NERD stack, which encompasses Node.js, Express, React, and various database technologies. She has experience deploying applications on Heroku and working with real-time web applications using Socket.io. As a self-taught Python enthusiast, she transitioned from a public affairs specialist to a full stack developer, showcasing her adaptability and commitment to continuous learning.