Portfolio

Layne Fester

Computer Science student at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Interested in software development, cybersecurity, and data work. Comfortable working with code, security tools, and documenting what I build.

Education

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
B.S. in Computer Science
Expected May 2029

Relevant coursework: Computer Science Principles, Cybersecurity, Network Fundamentals, Python Programming

Technical Skills

Languages: Python, Java, SQL, HTML/CSS, JavaScript
Data & Tools: Pandas, basic SQL queries, Excel (formulas, charts), and working with JSON/CSV from APIs.
Security & Systems: Linux command line basics, Wireshark and Nmap in a small home lab, and basic Windows/Linux setup & troubleshooting.
Cloud & Platforms: Git/GitHub for projects and early AWSs
Strengths: Pays attention to details, asks questions instead of guessing, and is reliable on group work / lab projects.

Certifications

  • CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) — 2025
  • Microsoft Certified: Excel Expert — 2024
  • Microsoft Certified: Word Expert — 2024

Projects & Technical Experience

MarketViewPro – Stock & News Dashboard
Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Git
  • Built a TradingView-style web dashboard that displays interactive stock charts with multiple time frames.
  • Wrote Python scripts to pull, clean, and organize historical price data into a format ready for analysis.
  • Implemented a simple model that flags potential short-term (24-hour) price movement scenarios based on recent trends.
  • Created a scraper for free news sources (no paid APIs) and matched headlines to ticker symbols to give context around price moves.
  • Documented setup steps, data sources, and assumptions so the project is easy to review and adjust.
Network Security Monitoring Dashboard
Python, Linux, Wireshark
  • Set up a small lab environment to capture and inspect network traffic and highlight unusual patterns.
  • Used Wireshark and Nmap to explore ports, protocols, and basic detection of suspicious activity.
  • Logged findings and commands to practice clear documentation and repeatable steps.
Coding & Automation Practice
Python, Bash, Git
  • Built small scripts to automate file cleanup, basic data parsing, and simple reports from CSV/JSON files.
  • Used GitHub for version control, tracking changes and writing concise commit messages.

Professional Experience

Front End Team Member
Menards — Fond du Lac, WI
Apr 2024 – Sep 2024
  • Handled cash and returns accurately, paying close attention to details and store policies.
  • Helped customers with questions and issues while keeping lines moving and staying calm under pressure.
  • Worked reliably on evenings and weekends and communicated clearly with supervisors and teammates.
Lifeguard
REC Department — Fond du Lac, WI
May 2021 – Aug 2023
  • Monitored swimmers and pool conditions to maintain a safe environment.
  • Enforced rules respectfully and communicated clearly with guests.
  • Consistently showed up prepared, attentive, and reliable for scheduled shifts.

Additional Information

Currently learning: More Python for data work, SQL basics, and improving my documentation habits.

Interests: Machine Learning, Security labs, and building tools that make data easier to understand.