Jordan Schidlowsky and Ty Bader had a great idea for an iPhone® app. They spent hours and hours (and hours) developing it. After the Apple app store accepted it, the guys did a free promotion to get more people to try it. Now, 1.5 million downloads of Super Stick Man Golf later, Jordan is living every app developer’s dream.
What do you do?
I’m CEO of Noodlecake Studios. We make video games for iPhones, iPads and Android cell phones. Our first product was strictly for iPhones, but since then we’ve built games for a variety of mobile devices.
Is this something you have always dreamed of doing?
If someone would have asked me two years ago if I saw myself building video games, I would have said no way. But here I am today, building video games. That might just be a testament to how quickly things change in the technology business.
How long have you been interested in computers?
I got interested at a young age. My father was a teacher in Saskatoon, and he managed the computer lab at his school. He got me interested in web page design. I started a small design business in high school and did a lot of freelance work building web sites. I also really liked math.
So you knew you wanted to study computers?
Not right away. I knew if I wanted to do more I would have to go to university and learn more about software development. But at the U of S, I took engineering for a year before moving over to computer science.
What surprised you the most about university?
How much fun it is! I didn’t know what to expect from university, but I definitely didn’t expect how much fun it was going to be. The whole experience was just amazing. I played on the Huskie soccer team for five years, so I took a lighter course load. That meant I completed my degree in six years. I definitely think that was the right decision for me.
How did you get started designing apps?
After my degree, I worked for a web development company for three years. I also worked evenings and weekends with Ty to build an iPhone app. It was a great success, which allowed us to start our own company and do it full-time. What do you like about it? There aren’t a lot of industries where you can build a company with nothing more than a couple laptops.
Do you like running your own business?
It’s very liberating to be on your own and fully responsible for your own successes and failures. The first week was scary, but at the same time exciting. Every day, I learn something new. Technology is constantly changing, possibly faster than any other industry on Earth. There’s always something new to understand and adapt to—and I love a challenge.
Most indispensable workplace skill?
100% hands-down my university education and university experience. There is no way I would be able to do what I do without the knowledge and experience gained from university. As well, the people you get exposed to and the friendships you make are indispensable.
Any advice for high school students?
Definitely get a post-secondary education—and play sports! Even though I played Huskie soccer at university, I had the most fun playing on campus rec teams. Inner-tube water polo was an absolute blast!
Job Prospects – Growing. Mobile application developer wasn’t even on the career radar 10 years ago. Now, it’s one of the fastest growing segments of the “computer programmer and interactive media developer” job classification. Average annual wage is $62,400, but can be much higher for mobile app developers.
Work Environment – Computer-Focused. You’ve got to love computers to succeed in computer programming, including app development. Here in Saskatchewan, jobs are concentrated in Regina and Saskatoon, but your job might also be virtual—there are opportunities to work online with companies around the world.
Education Options – Degree, Diploma, Certificate. The U of R and U of S both offer degrees in Computer Science, with workstudy options to give students hands-on experience. A number of diploma courses are available at SIAST, with related courses available through regional colleges and private vocational schools.