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Finding the Right Intersection, One Exploration at a Time

Posted by katie.weibel

For Davin, coming to С��è��ý wasn’t about following a straight path—it was about giving himself permission to explore, reflect, and reimagine what the next chapter of life could look like.

Davin first moved to Portland in 2000 and had long been aware of С��è��ý, but it wasn’t until around 2015 that he began taking classes. With a background in art and graphic design and years of experience across creative and technical fields, he had already reinvented himself more than once. After another round of layoffs in software consulting in 2024, he found himself asking a familiar—but deeper—question: What’s next, and what kind of work do I want to be doing in the back half of my life?

Because he was on unemployment and SNAP benefits at the time, he learned about С��è��ý’s STEP program and decided to try something completely different. He enrolled in welding.

“Welding was a lot of fun,” he shared. “It also gives you a lot of time to think. It’s very solitary—almost meditative.”

As Davin progressed, he found himself getting better at it and seriously considering whether it could become a long-term career. But he also took an honest look at what that future might demand physically and personally. At 54, he asked himself not just Can I do this? but How do I want to spend my time going forward?

That reflection opened the door to something unexpected.

As Davin explored more of what С��è��ý had to offer, he became intrigued by the intersection of creative coding, immersive technology, music, and collaborative creative work. He began to see connections between everything he had done before—art, technology, software development—and a long-standing interest in music that he’d never fully pursued.

“I’ve never started something where I didn’t draw on my past experiences,” he said. “Nothing’s been a waste. I’ve always learned things that apply to new situations.”

With STEP support, Davin leaned into exploration. He took music and sonic arts classes at Cascade Campus and drawing classes at Sylvania. Each class added a new piece to the puzzle—not pressure to decide, but space to learn the language of new fields and imagine what might be possible.

A key part of that journey was the support he received through Career Pathways & STEP. Regular check-ins with his coach, Maylorie, gave structure to what could have felt overwhelming.

“I never felt like I was navigating things alone,” Davin said. “I had a guide. I could focus on learning instead of worrying about registration, schedules, or whether I was missing something.”

As Davin’s direction became clearer, that support deepened. Together, they worked through how to translate years of varied experience into a resume that actually reflected who he is and where he wanted to go.

“I’d never really had someone help me dig that deep,” he shared. “That grounding gave me confidence—confidence to apply for the kinds of roles I actually wanted.”

Today, Davin is still in motion—and that’s exactly where he wants to be. He currently works as an independent contractor with a software development company that builds tools for artists, contributing to projects that often include music or audio components. The flexible schedule allows him to continue taking classes, while also doing illustration work for games and other creative projects on the side.

“If you had told me a year ago I’d start in welding, discover a passion for music, do more illustration, and end up in a role where I get to weave all of that together—I wouldn’t have believed you,” he said.

Beyond skills and employment, one of the most meaningful parts of his С��è��ý experience has been community. From evening welding classes at Swan Island—complete with shared breaks, conversations, and the feeling of being embedded in a working shipyard—to collaborative music labs at Cascade Campus, he found connection in places he didn’t expect.

“I walked away feeling like I belonged,” he said. “Not just supported—but part of something.”

Looking back, Davin hopes more people understand just how flexible and accessible С��è��ý pathways can be—especially for adults navigating work, life, and uncertainty.

“These programs are modular. You can step into something new without sacrificing everything else,” he said. “And once you’re a student, there are so many supports—STEP funding, basic needs resources, student discounts—that lower the barriers even more. I didn’t know most of that existed.”

For anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed, his advice is simple: stay curious, stay open, and don’t discount exploration.

“Education doesn’t have to mean locking yourself into one direction,” he said. “Sometimes it’s about discovering intersections you didn’t know were possible.”

Thank you for trusting us with your story—we’re grateful you’re part of the С��è��ý community.