Evelyn Ortiz-Martinez – Reflections

As the dust settles from my recent Team TechNext Western Michigan University journey to San Francisco, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the mentors who’ve shaped my career path and my entire outlook on what’s possible.

I want to especially thank George Hoyem, whose mentorship has changed my life in ways I never expected. George didn’t just open doors, he showed me how to walk through them with confidence. His belief in my abilities led to one of my proudest moments. I had the opportunity to present a censysAPI project to Brad Brooks, CEO of Censys. I’m incredibly thankful to Brad for his time, support, and his advice to “move fast and learn things”.

Kirsten Settle, your impact on my life extends far beyond professional guidance. Your unwavering support and motivation has equipped me to pursue the next chapter of my life. You’ve shown me that with preparation, persistence, and being present for opportunities, there are no limits to what we can achieve.

Justin Lee, thank you for not only giving us an incredible tour of Meta but for being someone I can openly discuss technology with. Your words about “perfection paralysis” and advice about not letting the fear of imperfection hold us back have already begun reshaping my approach to challenges. Hitesh Shah, your constant flow of impactful book recommendations and your teachings about the art of listening have been invaluable. These are lessons that will serve me throughout my life.

To my fellow TechNext teammates and our incredible instructor Barcley Johnson, thank you for being the heart of this journey. The bonds we’ve formed and the challenges we’ve overcome together have created memories I’ll carry forever.