bash — dotnet run --project ./portfolio

tom@prod-server:~$ git log --oneline | wc -l

4,872 # commits. Yes, most are "fix build"

tom@prod-server:~$ dotnet --version

8.0.101

tom@prod-server:~$ cat /etc/motd

WARNING: If it compiles, ship it. — Ancient .NET Proverb

tom@prod-server:~$ ./hire-me.sh

Exception: NullReferenceException — 'work-life-balance' was null

at TomKnox.Career.FindBalance() in passion.cs:line Infinity

tom@prod-server:~$

Available for hire · uptime: 8 years, N months

Senior .NET
Developer.
No, I can't fix
your printer.

// TODO: write compelling bio | C# · ASP.NET Core · SQL Server · Azure · Imposter Syndrome

new HireRequest(tom) await ViewResumeAsync()

// namespace TomKnox.Skills

What I Actually Know

C# / .NET 8

// could write LINQ in my sleep

ASP.NET Core

// minimal APIs ftw

SQL Server / EF Core

// SELECT * considered harmful

Azure / AKS

// everything is serverless until it isn't

Unit Testing

// tests pass on my machine ✓

Docker / K8s

// YAML archaeologist

Microservices

// 400 services. 0 explanations.

Explaining to PM

// "no, it's not a small change"

CSS

// don't ask me to center a div

Estimating Time

// multiply by π and pray

// public IEnumerable<Job> GetHistory()

Career { }

Feb 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 3 mos · Remote

Lead Software Engineer

// Student Choice · Full-time

Microsoft Azure C# .NET SQL +3 skills

Jul 2022 – Feb 2024 · 1 yr 8 mos · Remote

Software Engineer III

// Student Choice · Full-time

Microsoft Azure C# .Net SQL Blazor +3 skills

Sep 2021 – Mar 2023 · 1 yr 7 mos · Little Rock, AR · Hybrid

Software Engineer

// Priority1 · Full-time

Microsoft Azure C# .Net Vue.js +3 skills

Aug 2019 – Sep 2021 · 2 yr 2 mos

Software Engineer

// Brewer Enterprises, Inc. · Full-time

C# .NET Survivor Bias

// StackOverflow.GetContributions(userId: 4829104)

My Greatest Contribution

⬆ Stack Overflow · Reputation: 847 (mostly from one answer in 2019)

How do I fix "Object reference not set to an instance of an object" in C#?

Asked 2019-03-14 · 1,284,910 views · Tagged: c# · nullreferenceexception · .net

Accepted Answer ✓ — by tom_k (rep 847)

You have a null reference. Something is null that shouldn't be null.
Check what's null. Make it not null.

if (thing != null) { thing.DoStuff(); }

If this solved your problem please mark as accepted.
Edit: No, I cannot debug your specific code in the comments. No, not for a bounty either.

▲ 6,204 upvotes · This answer has been referenced in 47 other questions, 12 blog posts, and one CS dissertation.

// public List<Review> GetSocialProof()

What Colleagues Say

★★★★★

"Tom is the only developer I know who reads the actual documentation instead of just copying from Stack Overflow. Honestly, a little unsettling."

William Y.

// Engineering Manager · Hypercorp Solutions

★★★★★

"He told me my 'quick question' would take three weeks to implement. I didn't believe him. It took three weeks. I believe him now."

Oliver P.

// Product Manager · person who assigns 'quick wins'

★★★★☆

"Tom's code reviews are thorough. Some might say intimidatingly thorough. I cried once. It made me a better developer. Four stars."

Henry W.

// Senior Dev · now cries 40% less

★★★★★

"I asked Tom how long a task would take. He said 'it depends.' That was 18 months ago. I now know he was right and I was an idiot."

James K.

// Architect · reformed optimist

Let's Build Something
That Won't Need Hotfixes

// Available for senior .NET roles, architecture consulting,
// and politely explaining why that estimate is not realistic.
// Response time: O(1) · unless it's a meeting that could've been an email

new EmailClient().Send(hireRequest) LinkedIn

Senior .NETDeveloper.No, I can't fixyour printer.

What I Actually Know

Career { }

My Greatest Contribution

What Colleagues Say

Let's Build SomethingThat Won't Need Hotfixes

Senior .NET
Developer.
No, I can't fix
your printer.

Let's Build Something
That Won't Need Hotfixes