Member of the Month - Mark Warner

(4 min read)

Mark is a Java Full Stack Developer doing a software engineering apprenticeship at Verizon in the US. 

Tell us a little bit about your background, what apprenticeship you are doing & where you work?

I went to Texas A&M and studied History, then after graduating I led a physical security team as a Site Supervisor for over 5 years. I left to broaden my perspective on business earning an MBA at EDHEC Business School. I returned to my previous company to apply that knowledge through  process improvements. I started learning programming on my own to build solutions in my previous roles. I love how programming enables me to create new ways of doing things and wanted to transition into a full-time programming role. 

A friend of mine let me know about Verizon’s Thrive Apprenticeship program and I jumped at the opportunity to develop the fundamental skills needed to contribute to a team as a junior developer. I am in the Software Engineering Apprenticeship through Verizon as a Java Full Stack Developer. My Verizon team supports content delivery for Verizon Consumer Group digital marketing. 

So, how do you feel about winning Member of the Month? Can you tell us a bit about your nomination? E.g who you were nominated by and why?

It is a joy to collaborate with my fellow apprentices on our shared learning journey. I appreciate each of them and I am honored to earn their appreciation. I hope that I continue to earn that appreciation! I was nominated for helping others with their questions, the secret though is that they’re helping me to clarify my own understanding.

The Multiverse Community gives Apprentices the opportunity to build meaningful, social and professional relationships. Have you found the Community has helped you to build your network throughout your Apprenticeship and if so, how?

There are a lot of opportunities within the Multiverse Community. Particularly the variety of events each week covering a broad range of topics immediately applicable to us apprentices and the fact that they are recorded to watch asynchronously. The Write Way sessions helped me in writing this. I feel like I’m just getting started and there is still so much more that I need to take advantage of.

What has been the most rewarding experience you’ve had so far as an apprentice?

Every moment has been rewarding! Each moment collaborating with fellow apprentices to increase our shared knowledge as well as learning from my amazing Multiverse coach Michael. Beyond that, it is humbling that I get to learn while contributing changes that impact millions of people.