The Back-End Engineer
Jack Bonnelycke ý21 has an impressive resume. Heýs worked as a mentor to other Seidenberg students, took on quite a few responsibilities as a software developer for the Seidenberg Creative Labs, and even interned at Avanade in software engineering. As a computer science major, he says it all started in one place. ýI think similar to 90 percent of computer science majors, I started as an aspiring game designer,ý Bonnelycke said. ýAs someone who always loved games and STEM, coding the next World of Warcraft or Fortnite sounds like a dream come true.ý (He has over 3,000 hours logged in Guild Wars 2. Itýs pretty awesome.)
When he discovered he preferred playing video games to making them, though, it led Bonnelycke to a differentýand his currentýpassion: product design and back-end development. ýSo while my initial plan didnýt quite work out, everything fell into place in the end,ý he explained.
Pace hadnýt been the first school heýd wanted to go to initially. The friendships and connections he made as a first-year student was what started to change his mind. ýI was amazed [by] the quality of people I met. I have met friends that I will surely keep for a lifetime,ý Bonnelycke said. He participated in the New York Design Factory Product Development Projects (PdP) too, which really solidified his decision to stay. ýMy education from Pace is something I will always be grateful for.ý
The New York Design Factory is part of a consortium of other universities around the world that celebrate design thinking through project-based learning. For years, Seidenberg students have traveled to places around the world to work with other students on creative problem solving and product developmentýand Bonnelycke was one of the lucky participants. ýIt was an incredible experience,ý he told us, having gotten the chance to travel to Finland last October. ýThere, we met our sponsor, Logisnext, a premier warehouse vehicle manufacturer, and our international team.ý
Over the academic year, Bonnelycke and his team implemented the plan for their project through design methodologies and mobile-based technologies. ýNot only did I gain experience that has helped me in my studies and work, but I also made friends across the globe.ý He had such a great time, heýs even considering pursuing a graduate degree in Helsinki! But the biggest surprise? ýThis was the first time I genuinely realized how much I love my major.ý
His ambition and perseverance doesnýt stop there. Bonnelycke lends his talents as a software developer for Seidenberg Creative Labs, too. ýMost recently, we have been doing a lot of ideation, which is always exciting,ý he said. ýDonýt get me wrongýI love to code, but bringing my creative side out is liberating.ý
In addition to his work responsibilities, Bonnelycke is also the vice president of , the inclusive community for queer folks in STEM, as well as a volunteer mentor for the Honors College and Seidenberg. ýLeadership experience is pivotal to demonstrating to employers that you can take responsibility for others and yourself,ý Bonnelycke said. But thatýs not the only reason why heýs gotten so involved in peer mentorship. ýEnsuring that freshmen have as amazing of an experience as I did is something I am passionate about. I had a couple of mentors during my freshman year that made me feel included and really rounded out my first-year experience.ý
Weýre delighted to report Bonnelycke recently landed a full-time position after graduation at a tech consulting company working in back-end development and cloud computing. ýI found a passion in that field, and am very excited to be able to pursue such an interesting topic as a career,ý he said. We wish him all the best as he looks to the futureýand, of course, when he continues to innovate it.