Juggling homework, extracurricular activities, and a social life can be strenuous for a teenager, but those time-consuming expectations and activities somehow managed to leave senior Tyler VanBrocklin feeling unfulfilled.

VanBrocklin has pursued his interest in computer programming by developing remarkably rare opportunities with rather large corporations. VanBrocklin’s first-learned programming language was Lua, which he self-taught at the age of twelve by using the Roblox platform; as his skills developed, at the age of fourteen, VanBrocklin began teaching Lua by offering online classes.

“It was cool to be able to be able to profit off something I loved doing,” said VanBrocklin.

Shortly thereafter, Roblox, a video game development corporation, established and pursued a professional relationship with VanBrocklin.

“I became more and more connected with the Roblox Corporation through yearly conventions they’d hold. At their first convention in 2011, I had met the community manager and instantly seemed to click. Over the next year until the 2012 convention I would often find bugs in the Roblox platform and forward them to the team. After meeting the community manager at the 2012 convention and placing third in the ‘Hackathon’ I had grown even closer,” said VanBrocklin.

VanBrocklin was then invited to meet the CEO of Roblox.

“I was invited down to tour the office and meet with developers along with the CEO. We’d talk about my ideas and I’d look at upcoming features, even going out to lunch. The developers seemed very interested in my learning website, and it was fun to discuss where I was able to go with it,” said VanBrocklin.

However, VanBrocklin soon decided to move away from teaching computer programming due to other responsibilities. Shortly before turning sixteen, VanBrocklin applied at and was hired by Nike, while still continuing to pursue his innovative interests in other manners.

“I’ve created various electronic devices such as internet controlled plant watering, bike blinkers, and more. As I got into my time at Nike I started realizing more and more how much I love my job. Combining my passion for technology and passion for my job at Nike,I took it a step further – I was able to invent a device to improve efficiency at Nike stores across North America. My ideas stretched down to WHQ (Nike World Headquarters in Oregon) where I had gone down for meetings to present my prototypes. I was then invited to come work for a week in the summer at WHQ,” said VanBrocklin.

LSHS teacher Suzanne Kerker, who claims to be VanBrocklin’s life coach, explained how VanBrocklin seems to effectively manage all of his responsibilities.

“He takes business calls in the middle of class. That can get a little weird. But, he stays on top of his work and knows what he’s talking about. When he fails, and he does, he bounces back quickly, is reflective, and creates manageable solution strategies,” said Kerker.

While VanBrocklin’s success was rapidly growing with Nike, the community manager from Roblox reached out and explained to VanBrocklin that a family was looking for a tutor who would teach their son programming. Although his plate already seemed full, VanBrocklin took the tutoring opportunity on and began traveling every week to the family’s home in Seattle.

“The most rewarding thing about teaching is seeing the progress. It’s now been over a year with this wonderful family and has brought upon me many opportunities,” said VanBrocklin.

Planning to earn a degree in computer science, VanBrocklin hopes to attend either the University of Washington, Seattle University, or Seattle Pacific University next year, while continuing to work for Nike at their Seattle store.

“I also have a new invention in the works that I’m in the process of prototyping a device I plan on presenting to NikeTech again and hopefully scoring a summer job at WHQ in Beaverton, Oregon. Along with school, ASB, Nike, and my programming instruction, I currently have a concept I’m working on turning into my own tech startup. It’s always been a goal of mine to start my own business,” said VanBrocklin.

VanBrocklin’s story proves how many opportunities are available to teenagers who aspire for something grand.

“I stress nothing more than the importance of making connections regardless of the age. It’s amazing to see what small connections turn into larger ones,” said VanBrocklin.

VanBrocklin hasn’t let the success go to his head.

“Tyler has so much he is doing; whether it be new things he wants to put on the app, or another new idea he has for ASB or his work at Nike, he always is very busy, but you would never know it. He will always take time to talk with you and act like you are the center of his attention even when he is super stressed,” said senior ASB Executive President Peter Condyles.