Affinity for writing leads to computer programming career choice June 29, 2021

“I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I didn’t know where my writing would go,” Hannah Brewer said.  “Then, I discovered computer programming at Midland College, and I found it to be a lot like writing.  Everything is very logical and sequential.  Writing a computer program is like telling a story.”

Brewer has been attending Midland College part time for the past three years.  She said that she never dreamed she would even be attending college.

“My father is very anti-feminist and didn’t feel that women should go to college and obtain careers,” Brewer explained.  “I grew up thinking that it wasn’t my place to go to college.  I was homeschooled, and I just assumed that when I obtained my high school diploma, that was as far as I would ever go.  My parents split about six years ago, and I moved to Midland with my mother who encouraged me to take some classes at Midland College.  I’m glad she did.”

Two of her favorite classes were Government with Dr. Sondra Richards and History with Dr. Jaime Águila. 

“I loved the discussions with fellow classmates,” she recalled.  “Both of those teachers encouraged us to express our ideas, and I enjoyed getting to know and appreciate others’ viewpoints.  My favorite part of Dr. Richards’ class was learning about other countries.  Dr. Águila helped me to focus my thoughts, which has improved both my writing and computer programming skills.”

Twenty-two-year-old Brewer is one of seven children in her family and is the oldest female.  She hopes that she is setting a positive example for her four younger sisters to attend college and find a career path, like she has done with computer programming.  

“Just like the written word, people use computers daily,” Brewer stated.  “By writing computer code, I can create something that people use in every aspect of life. That is an amazing feeling .  Programming is fundamentally about creating solutions to problems. At the end of the day, a computer programmer has created something that didn't exist that morning, and that is very satisfying.”

While attending Midland College, Brewer also currently works part time in the college’s Language Hub, where she tutors students in writing skills and serves various clerical and administrative functions for the hub.  She said that in less than a year, she will complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Programming and plans to stay in the Midland area to begin her career.  

“I grew up in Houston, and I find that I really enjoy the smaller city atmosphere and climate in Midland,” Brewer said.  “My family is also important to me.  My younger sister Lydia is autistic, and I help take care of her.  We live with my grandfather who is 86, and it has been really nice having multiple generations under one roof.“I am very grateful to my mother for encouraging me to give Midland College a try.  College has challenged and stimulated my passion for learning and given me a pathway for a career, something that I never thought I would have.”