Computer Science Student & Aspiring Developer
"I bring curiosity, focus, and a collaborative mindset to every project. While I'm early in my career, I approach challenges with determination and take pride in delivering reliable, high-quality results. Clear communication and openness to feedback guide how I work, helping me grow quickly while supporting the goals of the team or client. I see each project as both a contribution and a chance to sharpen my skills for the future."
These days I spend more time making games than playing them, but when I'm feeling competitive you'll usually find me on League of Legends. I'm all about the quick, action-packed modes like Arena and ARAM—jump in, fight nonstop, no time wasted. I love picking the squishy champs that live or die by movement, darting around the chaos to dish out damage. Honestly, nothing beats the adrenaline rush of dancing through a minefield of skillshots and somehow surviving.
Outside of development, I'm passionate about holistic health and staying active. Yoga, swimming, and lifting are regular parts of my routine, and I was proud to be a member of the Olathe Northwest Ravens Swim Team.
Family is also central to who I am. I'm especially close with my brother, Crew Shafer, and enjoy supporting him as he pursues his career in composition and music education (stay tuned for his website coming soon!). I'm grateful for my unconditionally loving parents—my mom, an elementary school teacher, whom I credit with giving me an early start in academic excellence and who still learns and converses about whatever eccentric excitement has caught my attention; and my dad, who taught me initiative, resilience, and has been a tremendous role model for the man I aspire to become.
Nature has always been a grounding influence in my life. On hikes, I often find myself torn between admiring the intricate details of rocks and bugs at my feet, and the towering trees and foliage above. This appreciation for the natural world has inspired my interest in aquaponics and home gardening—something I hope to fully embrace later in life, with a dream of one day retiring to work with my own sustainable garden.
Born in an age where there are no new continents to chart or hidden islands waiting to be found, I believe the last great frontier lies within ourselves. I'm endlessly curious about the big questions: Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going?—and most importantly, what are we capable of?
My journey has led me to explore various theologies, searching for the core truths they share and the wisdom that unites them. For me, spirituality is not just reflection but a call to action. I want to embrace the way the world is changing and contribute by building software that connects people with sustainable solutions to the challenges they face in their lives.
Testimonials from colleagues, mentors, and supervisors
Over the summer of 2025 I had the opportunity to become a Quasi-Intern for Smith & Boucher. Although I was not interning for an AEC practice I had the opportunity to involve myself into the internship program and office environment. Through my experience working with the AEC Intern Partnership in Kansas City I got to explore another facet of the professional world. I gained an understanding how computer science fits into the AEC workflow, how information and files are sent throughout internal systems, and professional communication as a whole. Overall the experience this summer was enriching and has me excited and ready to continue my professional career.
Owner @ Garden Gnome, LLC
I've worked with Mr. Richardson on a web app Dazl Pro. I had the opportunity to construct a QA document, detailing any errors or recommendations for the site. This helped me learn a ton about the lifecycle of a project and how to work on a team. Communicating with a team lead and utilizing remote version control gave me my first look into the professional development world. Mr. Richardson has served as a mentor to me ensuring that I worked within professional standards, guiding me and providing feedback on my current project, Dazlhub Invoices.
"Max presented great qualities during his time with Life Time! He was very well mannered, hard working, and knowledgeable about swim team when working with the kids and speaking with parents! He showed great leadership during the summer by independently leading swim team tryouts, filling in for other coaches, and organizing well functioning practices. Max has a great personality that draws members, children, and other team members towards him. Max is always welcome back on our team, I highly recommend him for future positions!"
I spent a summer working under Mr. Nachbar doing ground rough plumbing. Through my experience, I learned the consistency and grit it takes to maintain a full time working schedule. Knowing my team would take on any burdens I left, I was motivated to show up even when physically exhausted. Working with my team showed me how to think ahead for myself and prepare the next pieces of pipe without being asked. I truly enjoyed my experience working with Mr. Nachbar!