Wesley Jochman - Class of 2021

Wesley Jochman - Fox Tales Q & A

What year did you graduate?

May 2021

What is your most memorable high school experience?

One of my best memories from high school is when the VEX Robotics Team and I went to State. Building the robot and competing taught me so much about working with others, how to solve problems, and why it's important to keep going even when things get tough. Seeing our work rewarded at State is a moment I will never forget, and it made my high school experience memorable.

Who has had the greatest influence on your time at FVL?

Mr. (Nathan) Nolte and Mr. Fischer were people who had a big impact on my time at FVL. They got me interested in STEM and gave me the skills to keep learning in those fields. Mr. Nolte's passion for the subject pushed me to try harder classes, and Mr. Fischer's support gave me the confidence to learn about science and tech. Because of what they taught me, I'm where I am now, and I appreciate what they did for my education.

What are you doing now professionally and how did you get into this career path?

I am a Software Engineer at Direct Supply in Milwaukee, and I'm also getting my Master's in Machine Learning (AI). Programming caught my eye in fifth grade, and I got really into it through LEGO League, VEX Robotics, and my computer science classes in high school. I realized I loved using tech to solve problems and build things, and that's what pointed me toward my current career.

What was your first job?

My first job was at Badger Sports Park in Appleton. It was a fun and fast-paced environment where I worked directly with guests every day. That experience really helped me develop strong people skills and build confidence in communicating with others. Looking back, it taught me how to stay calm under pressure and connect with people, skills that have carried over into my career today, especially when I’m presenting ideas or working with clients as a software engineer.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

One thing most people don’t know about me is that while I was a student at FVL, my now-wife and I competed in the Congressional App Challenge. Our project ended up winning the competition, which was an incredible experience. That success inspired us to start our own company, and we eventually sold our app idea to Road America, where it’s now used by thousands of fans every year. It was such a rewarding experience and really showed me how creativity, teamwork, and persistence can turn an idea into something real that people use and enjoy.

What is something valuable you learned during your career?

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned in my career is the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. Technology changes so quickly, and being willing to learn new tools, languages, and approaches has made a huge difference in my growth as a software engineer. I’ve also learned that communication is just as important as technical skill, being able to explain complex ideas clearly and collaborate with others often determines the success of a project.

What’s one lesson from your high school years that still sticks with you?

One lesson that’s always stuck with me from high school is something Mr. Bentz said: “Life is what you make of it.” It reminded me that your attitude and effort shape your future, and that mindset has been with me ever since.