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I'm Ingrid Alongi, a developer in Boulder, Colorado. I'm a co-founder at Quick Left, a Web Engineering company. I used to be a software engineer at Gnip where API integration and social media data were my world. Prior to that, at OneRiot, I wrote web applications using Java/Wicket/CSS. I've got experience with CodeIgniter for PHP, but mostly use Zend with Doctrine when it comes to PHP. Got some JQuery too.

I've been in the web development/interactive agency world for almost 10 years, with most of my experience in building database-driven web applications (PHP, ColdFusion) for consumer facing clients (e-commerce, email marketing, advertising, cms, etc.). Lots of strategy, lots of driving traffic back the web site types of stuff. Oh, and managing an amazing team of developers.

I'm an electronic music snob, ex national level cyclist, I play violin and cello, and have an MA in Women's Studies. You can contact me at ialongi at yahoo . com. Or, mosey on over to the Quick Left blog to see what I'm up to.

Why did I move to Boulder?

October 6, 2008, 9:11pm by electromute

Alright now, I’m not a job hopper. Moving to a new job is a risky endeavor for me. I invest a lot of my SELF into my job. And I’m old school. I’m loyal. I believe in toughing it out to the end. I believe in taking a hit for the team.

Perhaps that is a dumb attitude in this day and age, and perhaps my loyalties have kept me from some great opportunities (but I’ll never change that about myself), but one thing I’ve learned through my career is that sometimes pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the best way to grow.

Comfort zone was what I was in at my last job in San Diego. I was Director of Technology at Red Door Interactive. I had the best team of developers there. They worked together selflessly. They endured the constant interruption and emergencies that is the nature of agency work with style and grace. Great chemistry. Love that team.


Kari and Jeff during a bbq at Mission Bay


Halloween costumes: Kari as Air Force Pilot, Omed as Charlie Chaplin, me as Mud Run Victim, Ronel as Japanese Tourist

So, why did I leave? Well, for one, being so busy, I longed for a place where I could go on a hike in the mountains before work without having to drive 30 minutes to get to and from the trail (and then 30 minutes to and from work). That’s already 2 hours of driving time, which means I have to get up pretty damn early to fit it all in. Not going to happen. Not while working “agency hours”.


Me at the Teva Mountain Games in Vail

I also wanted more of a technical challenge. As I had transitioned to managing people more than writing code and as I saw the ability to be innovative pulled away by the need for projects to come in under budget (again, just the nature of agency work), I knew I could not last.

As scary and uncomfortable as it was, moving to Boulder has so far been an amazing experience. I feel so lucky to have the opportunities I’ve had, met the people I’ve met. I have some amazing possibilities on the horizon and I could not be happier with what I am working on.

So, what about you? What do you really want to be doing in your life? How can you get there? Push yourself…see where it can take you! One more day to apply to http://boulder.me doooo itttttt….!

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