The Stack Overflow Podcast WBIT #4: Using GIS to understand the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to
Feb 19, 2025
Lauren Cook, a software engineer at Forerunner, shares her inspiring transition from customer support to tech, emphasizing how past experiences enhance communication in development. She dives into the challenges of GIS data in flood risk management, highlighting the importance of user understanding. The discussion also touches on building resilient apps for disaster scenarios, addressing low connectivity and data synchronization. Cook shares insights on navigating GraphQL caching issues, showcasing the vital role of data normalization and the continuous journey of learning as a developer.
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Career Transition
- Lauren Cook transitioned from a theater major and service industry roles to software development.
- She credits a coding bootcamp for facilitating her career change.
Value of Non-Tech Background
- Lauren found her non-technical background, particularly customer support, valuable in software development.
- Communicating technical concepts to diverse audiences honed her communication skills.
Forerunner's Mission
- Lauren works at Forerunner, a company developing software for governments to manage flood risk and disaster relief.
- She describes the importance of this work, especially given increasing climate events.