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Josh Kallmeyer
2,167 PointsThank you, Treehouse, but it's time to say "sayonara."
I joined Treehouse when they were only Think Vitamin - I was one of the first users of Treehouse when they were in limited beta; and at the time, it was amazing. The $49 per month price tag on TV was so much better and easier, and - heck, more fun than any form of TAFE (University here, Down Under), or any form of course.
So, I joined - and loved it. I was 13 at the time, and I'm now 17. I remember, before TV came along, I was teaching myself the basics of HTML using W3C - god, they were horrible.
I remember going through Think Vitamin, creating my own websites as I go, being really proud of myself - my first girlfriend's mother was incredibly surprised I could produce these websites. As I approached year 11 at school - last year - I was getting less and less 'into' web design and dev, and more into helping people, and starting my own company.
I started working for a marketing firm, to which I'm still apart of, and I'm loving every moment of it. I'm supposed to be in my graduate year here in Perth, Western Australia, but I left last year, eager and itching to leave and get out there, and make my dent in the world.
As time went on, I was working more and more in this company, creating more and more websites. I had just turned the big 1-6 when I decided to leave school for good (errr... by 'leave,' I mean the deputy principal asked me to attend school less, and work more, or just leave school).
And so, I did my final exams, failing 3 out of 5, starting fulltime work at the company. It's been 6 months. 6 months of full time work, I couldn't be more happier.
I couldn't love Treehouse more. You guys, Ryan Carson, Allison Grayce Marshall, Nick Pettit.
So thank you, for providing this experience. This journey. This journey that's coming to an end, and a new one's just beginning. And I couldn't thank anyone more than you guys. You've always supported me, not just the team, but the members too, dating back to the FB forum days.
Thank you!
Josh Kallmeyer joshkallmeyer@me.com
10 Answers
Alex Hedley
16,381 PointsGood Luck Josh!
Josh Kallmeyer
2,167 PointsThank you!
Jonathan Rawlins
13,998 PointsWishing you the very best of luck Josh, inspiring story.
by4
34 PointsVery inspiring story. I wish you the best of luck!
Nick Pettit
Treehouse TeacherThis is an amazing story. You've used Treehouse for almost 25% of your life, which is sort of a mind blowing stat to me.
I'm so glad that we were able to help you learn. Best of luck in your future endeavors, and let us know if you need anything! :)
All the best, Nick
James Barnett
39,199 PointsI had just turned the big 1-6 when I decided to leave school for good (errr... by 'leave,' I mean the deputy principal asked me to attend school less, and work more, or just leave school).
And so, I did my final exams, failing 3 out of 5, starting fulltime work at the company.
I think the most important thing is to never stop learning and these days there are so many web education startups that you don't have to be in school to be learning.
Personally as someone that's about to turn 3-0, I think you'll regret that decision, but that will probably take about 16 years or so. But I remember being 16 very specifically I hated school that year so I definitely can see where you are coming from.
Josh Kallmeyer
2,167 PointsI never stop learning :) I'm always learning new things - I'm the type of guy who acts fast and doesn't stand still for long, if I ever do. I'm always doing something.
I'm not sure where you're from, but here in Australia our education system is - well - screwed up, and I found it best to learn at places elsewhere to the schooling system :)
deletedaccount
5,089 PointsI'm in Australia too but I don't know what you mean about Australia's education system being screwed up. It's far from perfect but I'd never say it's screwed up. Perhaps it's just your school or the WA education system.
In fact I find it hard to agree with you that it's best to learn at places elsewhere to the schooling system. True, Treehouse can teach you useful skills you can't get from any school, but I still think school has its place. I don't know - I just can't see failing your exams as being something to be proud of...
Josh Kallmeyer
2,167 PointsI wouldn't say I'm proud of failing them; but I'm not disappointed and all "oh, I failed my exams, I can't win in life anymore."
I'm the type of guy who doesn't stop when things get in my way - school or otherwise. I believe school is vital for learning the basics, reading, writing, maths, etc, but at a certain point - when they teach us things we won't use; that's a bit different. I'm not sure where you are in Aus, but in WA it's not the best - I went to the "best public school" - where all of year 12 passed.
I self taught majority of things I need for life; common sense, relationship and communication skills, FX and NYSE investing, and so forth.
You're right - my wording of "screwed up" wasn't right. I should've rephrased and otherwise said that our education system is generally only one way - meaning they only teach one way, expecting the students to turn out the same.
Josh
deletedaccount
5,089 PointsI guess it is a bit 'one size fits all', you're right about that. But I can't resist rebutting your "teaching us things we won't use" argument. The fact is, that's just an excuse people give when they don't like what they're being taught, or they find it hard. If you enjoy it, you're not going to care how relevant it is to your future. For example, I don't think it's likely I'll ever 'use' probability theory, but I still liked learning it.
Besides, I don't think school is only about preparing you for a career. It's about preparing you for life. A school is a bit like a mini-society, with things like deadlines and authorities. It's also about teaching you a bit of everything so that you know what career path you want to go down. I'm making an assumption here, but if you didn't learn history at school, you wouldn't have learnt that you don't like history and don't want to be a historian.
Josh Kallmeyer
2,167 PointsOh of course!
What I meant by things we won't use - I mean simply, things we won't use. History we do use; even if it's indirectly. I'm talking about things like algebra, or other things like that.
Ryan Carson
23,287 PointsJosh Kallmeyer Thank you SO much for being a Student for so long! It's been wonderful to have you as part of this community. I feel honored to have served and helped you :)
I hope that long term though, you consider being a life-long Student with us! :)
Wilt Chaimberlain
Treehouse Guest TeacherAll the best, Josh! Thank you!!
Josh Kallmeyer
2,167 PointsGuys, I'll always be apart of Treehouse.
I'm not far from hiring employees, the best of the best. And when that time comes, I'll be looking on here for the best devs and designers there are! :)
Sharon Walls
9,234 PointsGood luck, Josh, and thank you for sharing your story with us!