Software Developer, Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Truck Driver

Rod Patterson

“Rod P”

Swainsboro, GA

If it was easy, everyone would do it. Go after what you want!

In three words

FunnySmartRespectful

My story

What's going on, y'all! My name is Rod, and my mentoring style can be summed up in one word. Resilience. I grew up in a single-parent household and faced adversity throughout my life, so I know what it feels like when things get hard. That's why I meet young people where they are, no judgment, and encourage them to keep pushing forward. After two years at a traditional college, I found a different path and earned my electrical degree from Southeastern Technical College in 2014. Since then, I've spent over a decade in trucking and logistics, and now I own both a trucking company and a tech company. I want students to understand that success doesn't look the same for everyone, and your background can become your greatest advantage. I keep it real, relatable, and motivational. Outside of mentoring, I'm a family man and a creative at heart with deep roots in music.

Things I love

GodFamilyBusinessLearningInformationTechFootballMusicUGA Bulldogs

Get to know me

Ask me about: AI, Football, Stocks, Credit, Credit Card Points, Life Advice, Music, Computers
Currently into: I am into building software and apps. Websites, tools, whole systems, for organizations of any size that want something built or are trying to automate anything in their business. If you can think it, I can build it. I am also focused on scaling my own business right now. Outside of work it is music. I have always been around it, and right now I am building a music project with my AI artist "Gene Glory" just to see how far I can push it.
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite spot: Azul
Hype song: Nipsey Hussle "Dedication"
Go-to snack: Fit Crunch Bar
Learning right now: AI because it changes every single day, so you never get to stop learning it. Also I am learning how to distance myself from people and places that don't align with my future.
Recommends: Book: Charlamagne Tha God, Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It

This or that

What Rod picks.

Nights

Quiet night in

Team

Dogs

Approach

Plan it

Cup of choice

Coffee

My clock

Night owl

Eats

Pizza

Reach me by

Calls

On screen

Comedy

Story time

Movies

Flavor

Sweet

Dinner

Cook in

Season

Winter

Roots

City

On my feet

Sneakers

Getaway

Beach

Travel

Flight

Where I land

ReservedSocial

ListenerTalker

SpontaneousPlanner

EasygoingCompetitive

Why I mentor

I became a mentor because when I look around, this generation looks nothing like when I was coming up. There is a real lack of guidance out here. When I was a kid, grown people we did not even know would correct us if they caught us doing wrong, because they knew our parents. That whole village is gone now. I came from humble beginnings myself, so I know what certain things feel like from the inside, and what it does to a young person when nobody is showing them the way. I would rather hand these kids what I learned along the way than watch them take the long road to figure it out alone. I said yes to Next Generation Scholars because I can see the impact the vision can have on a whole generation.

Best advice

Always be yourself. Never shrink who you are to fit in.

A win I’m proud of

Purchasing my family a home

Fun fact

I was in the Rich Kids "My Own" video. Lol

I can help with

ReadingMathMusicLife adviceConfidence and self-beliefCoding and techSports

A note for you

Hey, if you're feeling nervous or shy, that is normal. Everyone feels that walking into something new, including me. Here is what you should know about me. I am not here to judge or grade you. You do not have to have your life figured out, you do not have to be the smartest one in the room, and you do not have to impress me. You can show up quiet the first time and just listen. That is fine. All I ask is that you show up. I will meet you where you are and we will go from there.

With care, Rod

A few moments