WELCOME PAUL FOX
WELCOME PAUL FOX
We are thrilled to welcome back a Neumont alum, Paul Fox, and introduce him as Neumont’s Web Development Chair. Paul, fresh from his role as a principal software engineer at NICE inContact has extensive experience both teaching and working in the tech industry for over 15 years.
COMPUTER SCIENCE FROM A YOUNG AGE
Paul’s computer science journey started, like many others, tinkering with technology at an early age. He recalls his first introduction to tech as a kid when reading his dad’s magazine “Run”.
Neumont instructor, Paul Fox
“In this magazine, there would be several pages of ‘code’ you could manually type into a text editor that would run a program. Assuming you didn't make a single typo.”
His interest in tech continued to develop in his teen years after his family received their first Windows PC. Paul recounts his experiences learning through both trial and error and phone calls with tech support whenever the family computer needed fixing or upgrades. These self-taught experiences as a teen led him to land various tech support jobs throughout the Salt Lake Valley. In 2004, Paul decided to pursue a computer science degree at the newly established Neumont College.
SUCCESS AT NEUMONT
Paul loved that Neumont offered a unique and career-focused approach to learning.
“I had tried to start college a few times before (attending) Neumont. Without family with college experience or other support to guide you in the right direction, it can be challenging to know how to get it all started. Neumont made it a lot easier to approach and helped with the process. I liked the focus and shorter timeframe.”
After graduating in 2007, Paul was able to go straight into industry, working as a software engineer, but he never forgot the incredible impact instructors at Neumont had on his life. Current President and CEO, Aaron Reed, was an instructor during Paul’s time as a Neumont student and Reed’s example eventually led Paul Fox to leave industry and return to teach at Neumont.
Neumont faculty and graduates at the annual Commencement Ceremony
PASSION FOR EDUCATION
Staying true to Neumont’s mission, “Improving lives through education,” Paul’s greatest motivation for teaching is the reward of seeing his students succeed. In addition to connecting with students, Paul brings a surge of relevant insights for his Web Development students.
In his experience “Web development changes and evolves faster than any other kind.” As the Web Development Chair, Fox plans to incorporate current industry trends and “explore modern opportunities to tackle different problems” in his curriculum. When asked what additional advice he has for students he said:
Paul Fox answers questions of prospective students at FReX
“Work with Career Services! Start early and prepare. Don’t necessarily jump on the first offer you get. Ask about job culture and try to find a place where you feel like you’ll fit. Know your worth and learn to appropriately negotiate. With the skills you’ve developed, you're worth more than you know.”
We are so happy to have Paul Fox here back at Neumont, and can’t wait to see where he takes the Web Dev Degree Program.