Taking Notes: How a STEM Career Pivot Inspired a New Learning App
Meet Chris: ICU Nurse, Former Lexus Master Technician, and Founder of NoteKnight
Introducing our newest SciCheer collaborator, Chris! Chris worked for over a decade as a Lexus Master Technician before pivoting into nursing during the pandemic. Now an ICU nurse and creator of the learning app NoteKnight, Chris is proving that there’s no “right path” into science or tech. His journey cuts across stereotypes about gender, education, and career tracks. Read on to hear how he broke expectations, built a modern learning platform, and continues to empower learners from all backgrounds.
What got you interested in STEM?
I wasn’t exactly an honor roll student growing up. Traditional classrooms just didn’t work for me. But when I got into high school auto shop, everything clicked. I loved working with my hands, solving problems, and learning how electrical and mechanical systems worked. That led me to graduate from the NASCAR Technical Institute and become a Lexus Master Technician. I probably rebuilt hundreds of engines over those years and I had a lot of fun.
Still, after a while, I felt like I’d hit a ceiling. I wanted to keep growing, to keep learning. I met a lifelong friend there who became kind of a mentor for me who encouraged me to pursue higher education. He got me back in the classroom and onto a path I never never really expected.
What made you switch from cars to nursing?
While taking night classes, I found myself more and more drawn to science. A close friend suggested nursing, and once I started learning about the human body, I was hooked. The depth and breadth of the science felt endless, in the best way possible. It was like I’d stumbled into an entirely new world, and I couldn’t stop exploring it.
After graduating with a nursing degree, I jumped straight into a Level 1 Trauma ICU. Just six months in, the pandemic hit. It was trial by fire, but now, with five years of critical care behind me, I can say it’s been the hardest—and most meaningful—chapter of my life.
What inspired you to create NoteKnight?
Around that time, one of my best friends was working as a programmer, and his career caught my interest. With the world still mostly locked down after the pandemic, I started teaching myself to code as a hobby. The problems were challenging, and I loved solving them—it kept my brain busy and fed my curiosity.
I thought about the apps that helped me through nursing school and realized I wanted to build something better. Something modern. A space where young minds could enjoy learning with tools that felt smart, useful, and current. That’s what led me to start building NoteKnight, and it’s grown into the most meaningful project I’ve ever taken on.
How does your journey challenge gender stereotypes in STEM?
Nursing isn’t a field most people expect men to go into, but it was the right path for me. It also gave me a firsthand look at how limiting stereotypes can be. But here’s the truth: science doesn’t care about gender roles. A good question is a good question. A smart solution is a smart solution. What’s exciting now is that society is starting to recognize people for what they bring to the table—not how they look or whether they fit into some outdated mold.
Final thoughts?
Follow what sparks your interest! Stay curious, keep learning, and trust that your path will take shape one step at a time.
My hope is that NoteKnight becomes a companion on that journey, helping people stay inspired, keep moving forward, and discover what they’re capable of.
Thank you to NoteKnight for sponsoring this post and supporting our mission!
