Zac Schmidt
Engineer | Salesman | Problem Solver
Versatile and people-focused Computer Science graduate with a rare blend of technical ability and sales instinct. With hands-on experience in software development, data analysis, and customer-facing roles, I thrive at the intersection of tech and communication. I've co-founded a coding education startup, worked across fast-paced startups, and recently gained experience in sales — sharpening my ability to build trust, solve problems, and perform under pressure. I'm now focused on combining my technical foundation with my passion for connecting with people to deliver real value. Driven, adaptable, and eager to learn fast and contribute immediately.
Work Experience
Sales Development Representative
2025
- Prospected B2B clients using LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Lusha, and HubSpot CRM
- Executed targeted cold outreach via calls and LinkedIn, improving messaging and conversion rates
- Gained insight into pipeline management and startup sales cycles
Sales Development Representative
2024
- Conducted cold and warm outreach for a US-based startup, building confidence and resilience in high-volume calling
- Developed lead generation strategies and sharpened communication and objection-handling skills
Co-founder
2023 - 2024
- Co-founded and ran coding workshops for children, simplifying technical concepts into engaging, age-appropriate lessons
- Gained hands-on experience with customer relations, handling parent communications and workshop sales
Data Analyst Intern
2024
- Supported the Retail Mass Data Analysis team by cleaning, querying, and analyzing customer data
- Used tools such as R, SQL, and Excel to create reports and visualizations that informed business decisions
Education
BSc Computer Science & Economics
2020 - 2023
Completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science and Economics at the University of Cape Town
National Senior Certificate (NSC)
2015 - 2019
6 distinctions in Maths, Accounting, Physics, Economics, English, and Life Orientation.
Skills
Technical Skills
- Proficient in Python, Java, SQL, JavaScript, R, and web technologies (HTML/CSS)
- Experienced with databases (MySQL, SQLite), Git, and Linux environments
- Familiar with modern web frameworks (Next.js, Tailwind CSS) and deployment tools (Vercel)
- Skilled in data visualization and explaining technical concepts clearly
Sales & Interpersonal Skills
- Strong interpersonal communication and confident presenter
- Solution-oriented approach to problem-solving
- Experienced in bridging technical and non-technical teams
- Collaborative team player with strong leadership potential