Programming, Dance, and Entrepreneurship

Jami Wissman (C’17)
Apprentice Member, The Data Guild

A computer science major with a minor in dance, Jami Wissman is equally at home coding or choreographing. Her skill and confidence in programming led to her participation in the 2015 Washington University Hackathon in St. Louis, where she placed as a finalist and won the Best Use of Domain award.

Jami also shared her love for dance both on and off campus—teaching classes and choreographing pieces for Principia’s annual Dance Production and for the Halloween flash mob in Alton.

Her junior year, Jami was integral in the founding of Principia’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She and her business partner went on to claim first prize at the Shark Tank-style innovation challenge in fall 2016, using the prize money to launch their company.

As graduation—and job hunting—approached, Jami appreciated her close ties with faculty members more than ever. “My professors really got to know me,” she comments. “This close interaction particularly helped while preparing for a series of technical interviews that were very difficult.” Ending up with several good options, Jami chose The Data Guild, where she works as an engineer, helping to bring data-driven products to market in a variety of industries.

Jami earned awards for both computer science and dance at graduation. “I was able to pursue my top two interests even more thoroughly than expected,” she reflects. “And I see others doing the same—I know a lot of students who are very passionate about something and are able to run with it because they feel so supported. I love the inclusive and loving atmosphere at Principia.”