#TeamAltruist is powered by kindness, brilliance, and grit. Meet Kurtis Rios, a Mobile Software Engineer.

Kurtis has always been a people person and strives to make sure everyone feels included. Sometimes being in the LGBTQIA+ community can feel isolating, he knows that from first-hand experience, so he makes sure that anyone who feels different has a safe place in him.

I try to live my life as an ally to all people. I know what it’s like to feel alone, and I don’t want anyone to go through that so I try to be inclusive of anyone who might feel different and give them a home in me.”

Kurtis is the oldest of 6 children so he learned quickly how to adapt to different types of people while developing his relational skills. 

He’d also be the first to go to college. His family didn’t have a lot of exposure to what it takes to apply for college, take the SAT,  etc but what they did know was how to work your way up the corporate ladder.

From a very young age, Kurtis was fascinated by technology. Growing up in the age of the iPod, technology was booming around him and he knew he wanted to be a part of it. At the same time, his mother worked on the Warner Brothers lot and would take Kurtis to work with her which exposed him to see what it takes to work your way up in corporate America. 

Although my family didn’t know how to help me apply to college, my mom knew how to start at the bottom of the totem pole and climb it. She instilled those skills in me at a young age which I’m grateful for because it’s stuck with me throughout my entire life.”

While in high school, his mom connected Kurtis with a friend who had just started a recruiting firm where he got his first job. That experience gave him the skills he’d need to pursue his future career in recruiting. 

Kurtis enrolled in community college with a major in Computer Science and worked full-time as a recruiter. He took a pause in school and continued his full-time role to help save money as he paid for college, and then enrolled back in school to finish up his degree. 

After college, he worked as a recruiter and later joined Altruist. While working as a recruiter at Altruist, Kurtis expressed his love for technology and shared his background in Computer Science. There happened to be a junior position open on the Mobile Application team, and Altruist’s Director of Engineering thought this would be a great fit for Kurtis.

He was able to interview for the role and eventually jump teams where he now sits on the Mobile Application team, putting his passion for technology into practice. 

At Altruist, the Mobile Application team is really small and we nurture a collaborative and welcoming environment. I’m able to have access to great mentors as I develop my skills and gain more knowledge.”

Kurtis loves working for Altruist not only because of the skills he’s able to learn but also because of its inclusive nature.

This is the first company I’ve worked for that has an ERG. We have the Queer Collective which has been refreshing because I’m able to build community with people who understand what I’m going through, can empathize with me, and share life together.”

Are you interested in working with people like Kurtis? Check out our careers page for open roles.