In this episode of the Power Platform Podcast, Mark and Malin are joined by Microsoft MVP Cat Schneider—self-described chaos agent, community personality, and Power Platform enthusiast from Florida.

From accidentally interrupting a keynote at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference to running through events in a dinosaur costume, Cat has built a reputation for showing up in a way that’s impossible to ignore. But behind the sequins and stories is a deeply practical journey into tech.

The conversation dives into how curiosity and problem-solving can lead you into tech, the importance of mentorship, and why being memorable in the community can actually be a strength. Along the way, there are plenty of detours—Florida wildlife, hurricanes, conference outfits, and why sometimes the best way to connect with people is simply to be yourself.

If you’ve ever wondered how to break into the Power Platform space without a traditional path—or how to build a personal brand that actually sticks—this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Power Platform Podcast, Mark and Malin sit down with Microsoft MVP Melissa Hale, a Power Platform developer at Curve whose journey into tech is anything but typical.

Before writing apps and automations, Melissa studied zoology, worked in zoos, researched snake venom, and even spent time counting parasites in a veterinary lab. After a difficult period during her PhD, she decided to completely change direction—jumping into a coding bootcamp and landing her first developer role before the course was even finished.

The conversation covers Melissa’s fascinating career pivot, the realities of breaking into tech without a traditional computer science background, and how curiosity and community helped her build a successful career in the Power Platform ecosystem.

Along the way there are plenty of unexpected stories—from feeding reptiles at the zoo and teaching horseback archery at a Californian summer camp to becoming a Microsoft MVP and speaking at conferences.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to change careers, or how people really find their way into the Power Platform world, this episode proves that the path into tech doesn’t have to be conventional.