| PROJECTS | SKILLS | EDUCATION | EXPERIENCE | INTERESTS |
I am a software developer who started coding with Codeacademy for Ruby for the first time in February 2019, and recently graduated (August 2019) from the 16 week coding bootcamp at Makers Academy. During this time, I have developed a process to learn new technologies and build software using TDD and Agile methodologies in a time efficient way.
There are 3 things that stand out which have led me to a career in software development:
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Having been a merchandiser at fashion retail brands for over 14 years, I recognised that there were ever-fewer opportunities available in the industry and my learning was stagnating. I was ready for a new challenge!
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A conversation (over a glass of wine, or 2!) with my husband raised the prospect of “robots taking over our jobs” and led me to consider how likely this really could be (if retailers ever actually invested in technology that is!!). It was a moment of realisation for me and I wanted to get ahead of the game.
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Throughout my merchandising career, I have built and re-built reports or ‘programs’ to improve the efficiency and visibility of data within my teams … predominantly in Microsoft Excel! I craved for my retail employers to either invest in tech or invest in me, so that I could push my skillset in this area more effectively. Completing Makers has put me in a place where I am more equipped to achieve!
I have developed a wealth of experience in customer-focused decision making, cross functional teamwork, client-side strategy, and leadership in my previous career. With this experience, I believe I can successfully transition into the tech industry as a Software Developer.
I am energised by the prospect of joining the tech industry and I am determined to make a success of my career change. Tech is such a great way to continually learn and challenge yourself, and the variety of paths you can take in your career are endless. It’s especially exciting with all the current focus that Women in tech are receiving and to be part of this revolution will be amazing!
Although the below projects are far from perfect and none of them are particularly original, they all demonstrate how much i've learnt during my 3 month coding journey at Makers.
| PROJECT | DESCRIPTION | WEEK NO | TIME FRAME | TECHNOLOGIES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guilt Tripper | Team project to build an eco-friendly app in the final 2 weeks of Makers. We applied the process we learnt during the course to learn a brand new tech stack in 10 days, whilst maintaining Agile processes. The app checks products for palm oil and is integrated with a News API. If the product contains palm oil, current news articles are displayed in an effort to guilt trip the user into not buying or using the product. Recently updated to complete feature tests, add code coverage, update readme & clean up repo using .gitignore. |
11 & 12 | 10 days | Swift, Xcode |
| Bank Tech Test | Individual project to print bank transactions in a specific bank statement format. I have recently refactored this to ensure that I am testing behaviour, not state and it also demonstrates my understanding of OOP and mocking. | 10 | 4 days | Ruby, RSpec, Rubocop, SimpleCov, Travis CI |
| Acebook | Team project to build a clone of Facebook. We followed agile processes & created a vlog to document our learnings. | 8 & 9 | 10 days | Capybara, Heroku, PostgreSQL, Rails, RSpec, Rubocop, Travis CI |
| Bowling Scorecard | Individual project to replocate a bowling scorecard after learning javascript in 5 days. Although I did not complete the user interface part of the challenge, I was particulary proud of completing the logic of the scorecard in a new language. | 6 | 4 days | Javascript, Jasmine |
| Rock, Paper, Scissors | Individual project to create my first solo web app that tested my understanding of the MVC structure. | 3 | 2 days | Capybara, RSpec, Rubocop, Ruby, SimpleCov, Sinatra |
I have HIGH EXPECTATIONS for myself and the teams I work in. I always STRIVE TO IMPROVE and be the best that I can. I apply this mentality to the teams I work in and the projects I work on.
Where necessary, I am happy to CHALLENGE ‘THE NORM’; challenging inefficient processes with thought through SOLUTIONS and taking my TEAM with me in doing so.
In a safe, supportive and encouraging environment, I am a CONFIDENT COMMUNICATOR who can speak to varying levels of seniority within a business and make change. My skills in COMMUNICATING, ORGANISING and PLANNING have proven key to IMPLEMENTING CHANGE, where I identify that it can bring positive difference; for my colleagues, for my clients and for business performance.
I am TENACIOUS, DEDICATED and DETERMINED to complete tasks within the given time frame to a very high standard. These are strengths that have been instilled in me from a very young age. I have a ‘NEVER GIVE UP’ ATTITUDE which drives my love for PROBLEM SOLVING and LOGIC.
Combined, I think these strengths put me in a great position to take on my first role in tech.
- Ruby, JavaScript, Rails, Swift
- SQL/Postgres
- Xcode
- RSpec, Jasmine, Capybara
- Travis CI & Heroku
- OOP, TDD & CICD
- Git workflow
- Code reviews
- Agile methods
- Pair programming
- BSc (Hons) American Management Science (1st)
- Business degree focusing on maths & statistics
- Year Abroad: University of Alberta, Canada (2002 - 2003)
SENIOR WOMENSWEAR MERCHANDISER
- Responsible for the quarterly financial planning & range building for all of Womenswear (70% of total revenue)
- In-season analysis & trading of sales & stock in order to maximise sales turnover and profit, and optimise stock
- Weekly presentation of sales performance
- Achieved significant sales growth (2018) & implemented new working practices
- Managed a team of 3 & worked closely with Buying team, Head of Merchandising & Director of Product
SENIOR WHOLESALE MERCHANDISER
- Worked with Account Managers to manage key partners incl. ASOS, HOF, John Lewis
- Target driven stock management
- Managed a team of 5
INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISER
- Adapted UK brand strategy to maximise sales internationally
- Relationship management of 25+ franchise partners, across 30+ countries
- Reviewed sales performance, competition & pricing in all international regions
- Managed team of 13 & worked closely with Finance, Retail Operations, Logistics, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, International Regional Managers, & Brand Management
GRADUATE FINANCE TRAINEE
🦁 Cats: Often found procrastenating watching cats on instagram
🌵 Gardening: Curating indoor and outdoor jungles
🏠 Interior Design: Mid-century obesessed
🎸 Music: Glasto enthusiast
🏉 Rugby: Avid Welsh rugby supporter - off to the Japan World Cup in September 2019
🏃 Running: 2 half marathons under my belt & an application to the London Marathon 2020 submitted (eek!)