Professor Spotlight: James Godding

by Toby Lox - March 2, 2015

Toby: Where did you attend college? What did you study?

Professor Godding: I attended Pitts Park University and I studied Computer Science and Mathematics.

T: What made you gravitate towards computer science and mathematics?

PG: I didn't really start deeply enjoying mathematics until I was about 13. I remember hating geometry and loving linear algebra, although now that has completely switched. I'm not quite sure why it stuck with me, but I haven't stopped doing it since.

T: Coming out of college, what was your first job?

PG: I landed a job with an eCommerce company rather quickly based on a friend’s reference. I worked there for 2 years, but was unfulfilled as I wasn't doing much development work. I did some job hunting and landed an entry level developer job at a computer software startup. I was able to continue my education while working there.

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T: What brought you to GU?

PG: My first introduction to GU was as a graduate student in the summer of 1996 for a mini-course on Design and Analysis of Algorithms. I really enjoyed the friendliness of the department and the beauty of the area, so when the department offered me a job a few years later it was a very easy decision to make.

T: What classes do you teach here? Do you have a favorite…we won’t tell!

PG: I teach Programming Languages, Web Programming, Computer Networking, Foundations of Game Design, Data Mining, and Artificial Intelligence. And I love them all! They’re all so different that it’s nice to be able to bring different aspects of my career into each one of them.

T: What has been one of your favorite moments working at GU?

PG: I enjoy the friendliness of the campus and all of my colleagues. It's a very nice atmosphere here.

T: Do you have any advice for aspiring Gophers?

PG: Every industry is full of smart people who don't work well with others. Having good people skills will get you far, especially when it comes to interviews and leadership based promotions. Employers rarely care about what you know right now. They care about what you are willing to learn. Work on putting together a portfolio of freelanced professional and personal projects.