One of the ways we’re able to provide software solutions at lower rates is through our apprentice program. We choose the best students to work for us, part time during the school year and full time during the summers. Luke Josten is one of our first-year students.

Luke is a junior at Taylor University, and is one of our 13 apprentices. On his first day of work at the EduSource offices this summer, Luke showed up with a broken wrist. Intramural softball had wrecked havoc on his plans. With a quick, signature-Luke smile, he took on the task of learning our processes and helping the team with just one hand. It didn’t slow him down a bit.

Luke’s an interesting guy. I think you’ll enjoy finding out more about him (preview: he grew up on a farm and is a wiz at Rubik’s Cubes…). Read on!

Luke Josten

Tell me about your family.

I grew up on a farm surrounded by cornfields in Ventura, Iowa. My dad, Dean, raises show pigs to be shown at local fairs, and he also farms part time as well as works at an Ethanol plant. My mom, Mim, works part-time at a public library near out house in the children’s department and also cleans some houses. I also have two older brothers, Matthew and Michael Josten, who both graduated from Taylor University.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy having many different hobbies, and I enjoy changing them up for fun. My most famous hobby is probably Rubik’s Cube solving, and I can solve a normal 3x3x3 Rubik’s Cube in under 20 seconds. I also enjoy solving other shapes and sizes of puzzles, and I have been to two Rubik’s Cube competitions. Some of my other hobbies include photography, reading/writing, Tetris, PC gaming, and computer security. Most recently, I’ve picked up a lock-picking set and I’ve been messing around with that (using locks I own).

How did you first get into programming?

I first started programming when I was pretty young, around 13 years old. I was very interested in computers and other technology, and I remember I picked up a book on Visual Basic. So I started with that, but I did not get very far initially. I progressively learned bits and pieces of other languages as I got older. I am now majoring in computer science at Taylor University.

Why do you work for EduSource?

EduSource is an awesome opportunity for me as a college student. I get to use the knowledge I have been learning at school and apply it in a real-world setting at EduSource. It’s also great to have some income while at college, and it immensely helps out my Ramen budget! 

What have you learned most from your work at EduSource?

I have learned the importance of communication within a software development team and making an effort to meet together every once in a while. It helps give the project more meaning and ensures everyone is on task.

What’s your favorite food?

The classic cheeseburger.

What’s your favorite movie?

Into the Wild

What’s the most interesting place you’ve been?

Odessa, Ukraine

Where do you most want to visit?

New Zealand

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird!

What’s the thing you have to do in your daily life that you hate the most?

Flossing

What kind of books do you read?

Fantasy, science fiction, and other types of fiction. Some of my favorites include 1984, Slaughterhouse Five, The Great Gatsby, The Hobbit, and Of Mice and Men.

What would you do with a completely free Saturday?

Sleep in and relax until lunch. Do a bit of reading and solve some puzzles. I would see what my friends are up to and most likely participate in whatever endeavors they are on.

What do you want to be when you “grow up”?

I would love to be a computer security penetration tester. But basically anything technology related would be fine by me.