About My Blog

I had no idea what I was getting in to when I started writing this blog.

I’m not a terrific writer.

I didn’t think I could come up with anything interesting to say on a regular basis.

Why did I call it Fail Forward?

I wanted to honor one of my college mentors, Dr. Stephen Stancyk, who once said to me during a moment of utter failure (I was on the verge of failing Honors Organic Chemistry):

“Megan, you’ve fallen down and skinned your knees. Jump up and keep moving forward.”

And so I picked my sorry little self up off the ground, put band aids on my skinned knees and tried again.

I did not fail honors organic chemistry, though it was the lowest grade I received during my undergraduate career. The only reason I passed is because I kept trying.

Okay, that’s not entirely true. I got lucky.

My organic chemistry professor, who I deeply admired and simultaneously loathed because he told me early in the semester that the only way I would pass his class was if I quit every single extracurricular activity so I could study organic chemistry, slipped me a hint prior to finals. He told me I should “review my previous exams.”

I memorized every single question on the previous exams.

Every question on the final was from our previous exams.  My ability to memorize paid off.

My heart almost lept out of chest when the professor called me to say, “You passed my class with a ‘C’. I’ve never seen someone try so hard. Congratulations.”

If you’re going to fail, fail big!

Failures lead to bigger and better things.

This is what I mean when I say, “Fail forward.”

Professional Experience

I’m a jack-of-all trades with skills ranging from teaching, web analytics, user research and business process improvement. My ability to communicate complex technical concepts and strategies helps make my clients feel comfortable. These skills along with my enthusiasm and energy has made me a sought-after team member.

Throughout my career I have worked with clients to create a variety of successful online experiences. Some of my favorite projects include developing a site that empowers young girls to take an interest in science and improving an e-commerce experience that contributed to the bottom line.

I graduated from the University of South Carolina where I received a Bachelor of Science in marine science. My curiosity for understanding how people influence complex ecosystems and web design hobby turned into a love affair when I discovered the world of user experience. In my spare time I enjoy cooking and reluctantly admit to being addicted to bad reality television programming.