Saxton Van Dalsen

Seattle, WA · saxtonvandalsen@gmail.com

Hello! I'm a Coast Guard veteran with a passion for technology and a strong foundation in Information Technology. During my time in the Coast Guard, I developed and honed my IT skills, gaining hands-on experience in network management and technical support. With two years of professional experience in the IT field, I've worked on various projects that have equipped me with a solid understanding of systems administration, troubleshooting, and software development.

Currently, I'm pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Seattle University. This academic journey has further deepened my knowledge and skills in areas including programming, data structures, algorithms, and software engineering. I am enthusiastic about leveraging my military discipline, technical expertise, and academic knowledge to contribute to innovative and impactful projects in the tech industry.

Experience

Veteran Ambassador

Seattle University - Seattle, WA

Facilitates daily support for military veterans and VA benefit recipients by addressing their questions and concerns, ensuring a seamless transition to academic life and enhancing their overall education experience.
Providing guidance to new student veterans through the enrollment process, providing personalized assistance that fosters academic success and community integration at Seattle University.
Planned and hosted a Fall Quarter Welcome Back event, created a welcoming space that engaged veteran and military-connected individuals to connect over coffee and donuts while learning about resources and support services, fostering community and belonging on campus.
Currently developing targeted educational initiatives to support the diverse needs of the veteran community.
Utilizes university protocols to respond to students in distress, effectively managing conflicts and contributing to a safe and supportive campus environment.

September 2024 - Present

Information Systems Technician

USCG Electronic Support Division Memphis - Memphis, TN

Oversaw and maintained IT infrastructure and operations for over 8 units, including 5 USCG buoy tenders, across 5 states, ensuring seamless network continuity, communication, and operational readiness.
Responsible for day-to-day help desk support operations including ticket prioritization, tracking, and timely resolution, successfully resolving over 300 technical issues.
Managed user accounts, organizational groups, and security groups with precision through Microsoft Windows Active Directory, upholding stringent security protocols and access controls.
Demonstrated expertise and efficiency in troubleshooting Microsoft 365 and its applications, providing swift resolution to technical issues and ensuring optimal user productivity.
Managed and executed IT projects, including network upgrades, system migrations, and infrastructure enhancements.
Created and continuously updated detailed technical documentation, including network diagrams, system configurations, and troubleshooting guides.

December 2019 - January 2022

Search & Rescue / Maritime Law Enforcement

USCG Station Cortez - Cortez, FL

Conducted numerous search and rescue operations, ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals in distress while executing precision navigation and seamanship skills in various weather conditions.
Responded promptly to maritime emergencies, providing immediate assistance and demonstrating adaptability in dynamic situations.
Collaborated with federal, state, and local agencies to execute joint law enforcement operations, fostering effective interagency partnerships.
Trained new crew members in search and rescue techniques, navigation procedures, and maritime law enforcement protocols.

November 2017 - June 2019

Education

Seattle University - Seattle, WA

B.S. Computer Science

GPA: 3.56

Currently in-progress: CPSC-4910: Cloud Computing, CPSC-3400: Languages and Computation, MATH-2320: Linear Algebra

Relevant Completed Coursework: Object-oriented Programming (C++/C#/Unit Testing), Programming & Prob Solving II (C++), Data Structures & Algorithms (C++), Calculus III, Computer Organization, Fundamentals of Databases (MySQL), Foundations of Computer Science (Discrete Math), Probability and Statistics for Science and Engineering (MS Excel)

September 2023 - Present

Florida Southwestern State College - Fort Myers, FL

General Studies - Computer Science Prerequisites

GPA: 3.5

Relevant Completed Coursework: Intro to C# Programming, Programming I (Java), Physics I, Calculus I, Calculus II

August 2022 - July 2023

USCG Information Systems Technician School - Petaluma, CA

Completed the 24-week USCG IT A School, focusing on network administration, cybersecurity, system troubleshooting, fiber optics, and communication technologies, equipping me with comprehensive technical skills and knowledge for supporting Coast Guard IT operations.

June 2019 - December 2019

Monticello High School - Monticello, IL

High School Diploma

August 2011 - May 2015

Projects

Stock & Crypto Tracker

Developed and deployed an interactive full-stack web application for tracking and managing favorite stocks and cryptocurrencies.

Technologies utilized: React, Redux, Bootstrap, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Firebase, Firestore, Netlify, Git, GitHub

Created a responsive frontend interface to display real-time stock and cryptocurrency data, enabling users to easily search and retrieve information.
Built a robust back-end using Firebase, facilitating user authentication and secure management of favorite stocks and cryptocurrencies with seamless interaction between frontend and backend components.
Deployed the application on Netlify for fast, reliable hosting.
Enhanced the application with features that allow users to save and access their favorites, ensuring a smooth and engaging user experience.

GitHub Repo

July - September 2024

AWS Serverless CI/CD Portfolio Website (Frontend & Backend)

Developed and launched a fully serverless website with integrated CI/CD pipelines.

Technologies utilized: AWS S3, CloudFront, Lambda/Function URL, DynamoDB, Certificate Manager, Terraform, Git, GitHub, GitHub Actions, Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS

Launched an S3-hosted static website with a CI/CD pipeline for seamless deployment of frontend and backend components.
Automated backend infrastructure provisioning and updates using Terraform, ensuring efficient and consistent deployments via GitHub actions.
Built a dynamic page visitor counter using Python in Lambda Function URL, synchronizing data with DynamoDB to enable real-time tracking.

GitHub Repo

June - August 2024