Hi! I’m Misty Hickman, a mother of six, software engineer, future homesteader, AI enthusiast, and lifelong learner.
I’ve been in IT for over 27 years, starting from designing websites in the 90s with simple HTML (remember that?) to leading cutting-edge projects in web development, automation, and artificial intelligence today. Along the way, I’ve mentored other developers, spearheaded enterprise solutions, and returned to college to pursue a degree in Information Technology with a focus on AI; all while sharing my knowledge through writing and consulting.
Outside of work, I’m a wife, mom of six, painter, gardener, and blogger here on ThereGoesMisty, where I share insights on tech, career growth, family, and finding joy in every stage of life.
My goal is to embrace the possibilities of technology, whether it’s through AI, better processes, or simply learning something new to move goals forward.
There’s a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff. Click a category below to get started.
Release or Regret: Your Software Schedule is the Secret to Delivering Value
I've been studying to get my PSPO Certification (Professional Scrum Product Owner) by utilizing the Professional Product Owner by Don McGreal and Ralph Jocham, and I thought I'd dump a little knowledge here on my [...]
Stretch, Snap, Repeat: Embracing the Chaos of Getting Older
Let's get one thing straight: aging is not for the weak. And if you're still young enough to sneeze without peeing a little, I don't want to hear it. 🙂 The other morning, I stretched [...]
Foundations of Prompt Engineering: Few-Shot Prompting
So, you're back for more prompt engineering ideas? Awesome, let's see what we can learn today! If you've ever felt like arguing with ChatGPT because it just didn’t get what you meant, congratulations! You've met [...]
Foundations of Prompt Engineering: Optimizing Prompts for Clarity & Context
Mastering prompt engineering isn't just about knowing what to ask, it's about knowing how to ask it. The way you structure, format, and even write in the tone you do for your prompt can mean [...]
Foundations of Prompt Engineering: Basic Prompt Structures
Remember that time you asked ChatGPT to "write a short story about a cat" and somehow got a full-blown Shakespearean tragedy filling up your screen? Yeah. Been there, done that (ok not really but it [...]
Foundations of Prompt Engineering: Understanding How AI Models Process Prompts
After my last post about why I believe software engineers should develop their skills in prompt engineering, I figured it would be fun (yes, I'm a nerd, and this is my idea of fun!) to [...]
Why Every Software Engineer Should Learn Prompt Engineering
Let's be real: being a software engineer is already a never-ending game of keeping up with new frameworks, debugging cryptic error messages, and explaining to non-tech folks why "turning it off and on again" actually [...]
From Comfort to Purpose: An Update on My Pursuit of Something More
Spring is almost here, and I am beyond ready for it. Winter has had me feeling a little low, a little uninspired, and, frankly, just over it. Bring on the sunshine and the vitamin D! [...]
Debunking AI Myths: What Current Artificial Intelligence Really Is (and Isn’t)
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere and for many people, that brings about feelings of fear, doubt, and chaos. From social media influencers predicting the end of the human workforce to movies making AI the villain in [...]