Hi!

My name is Emily Trabert. I’ve worn a lot of hats, including:

Software Development Engineer,
Graphic Designer,
Computer Science Tutor, and
Instructional Designer.

I graduated from American University in Washington, DC with a BS in Computer Science, a BS in Audio Technology, and a Minor in Graphic Design.

I graduated from University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC with a MA in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship.

Check out my various portfolios on my wiki!

Work

I spent my first four years out of undergrad working at Amazon in Seattle, WA as a Software Development Engineer. I worked in three major departments: global transportation, maps, and Alexa. I learned a lot about software development and even was promoted.

People ask me if working at Amazon is really as rough as the news makes it out. My honest answer? It depends. People who have had an awful time and quit? I believe them. People who have had a great time and long careers? I believe them too. It really depends on your manager, your coworkers, upper management, and the project you are working on. I have had really good times and really bad times at Amazon, but I’m definitely stronger because of them.

I moved back to NC to be closer to my family and joined Metabolon, a biotech company in Morrisville, as a Software Developer.

I chose Metabolon because of their mission: providing actionable biological insights to answer the toughest questions in life sciences research and drug development. Working on something lifesaving gave me new energy.

Eventually, I wanted a new challenge. In addition to applying to graduate school, I started working as a contract Software Developer at SciMed Solutions, a custom software shop in Durham, NC.

I really enjoyed working with the team and with the clients – despite COVID, I felt like a part of the team community.

As with my previous jobs, I got bored with software development and was ready to pivot to something new.

While working at SciMed, I also started as a Computer Science Tutor, first with Varsity Tutors and then on my own.

Tutoring taught me the basics of running my own business – lessons I plan to take with me into my next venture.

Tutoring also reminded me how much I love education. I was incredibly excited to be admitted into the MEITE program at UNC Chapel Hill.

Motivation

I’m driven by impact – I want to know that I’m working on something that is important and will create a positive change in the world.

I’m fueled by recognition – I like celebrating victories and value the respect of those around me.

I’m looking for my purpose – I want to be a part of something bigger than myself and desire to contribute significantly to a strong mission.

Personal

I’m a proud pet parent to an amazing Australian Shepherd/Border Collie named Jace. He was born in February 2015 and I adopted him in May 2015. His favorite thing is fetch and mine is teaching him to “talk” with a talking board. (As the world’s best dog, he puts up with it.)

I love everything nature: trees, mushrooms, and especially shiny rocks. One of my favorite trips was to Mt. Rainier and I hope to go to the Grand Canyon some day.

I also love all things body mods. I got my first piercings in 2020 and my first tattoo in 2018, but my poor mother has been putting up with me dying my hair since 2006. I’m not sure if it was better or worse when I shaved my head in 2020.