I am a Software Developer, recently graduated from Makers Academy, with 15 years’ previous experience in the legal sector.
In recent years, I revisited my childhood hobby of computer programming through adult education courses, online tutorials and various books. Having rekindled my love of coding, this June after careful consideration, I left my previous career as a Licensed Conveyancer and embarked on the 12-week coding bootcamp at Makers. I have progressed from an enthusiastic amateur coder to a confident and competent software developer. The journey has been fun and rewarding. I am looking forward to combining my existing work experience with my new-found skills and continuing to learn in my first role as a developer and beyond.
| Project | Description | Technologies |
|---|---|---|
| 'meet in the midl' | Makers Academy Final Group Project - A web app which finds a convenient and fair meeting point for two people | Back-end - Ruby on Rails, Front-end - React |
| 'Angels - a Facebook copy' | A group project building a copy of Facebook | Ruby on Rails, Javascript, JQuery |
| 'Bowling Scorecard’ | A solo project building a web application for a ten-pin bowling scorecard | Javascript and JQuery |
| Bank Tech Test | A solo tech test modelling bank transactions | Ruby |
The examples above show projects I have built on my own and in teams. I write clean and readable code so that other developers can understand my code quickly.
One of many reasons I was attracted to a career as a developer is the ever-changing nature of technology, which means I will always be learning something new. At Makers Academy, I have honed my self-led learning approach to become highly effective at setting my learning goals, researching for learning materials and monitoring my progress.
At Makers I have learned and used agile working tools such as stand-ups, retros and sprints. I make valuable contributions to the teams I work in by actively engaging in these practices, and using the excellent communication skills I have developed throughout my previous career.
| Lanuages | Frameworks and other technologies | Testing Frameworks | Processes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby, Javascript, Python, HTML, CSS | Rails, jQuery, React, Ajax requests, Sinatra, Postgres, Heroku, Travis CI | Rspec, Capybara, Jasmine, Cypress, Jest | Agile, TDD, Object Orientated Programming, the Model-View-Controller, Pair Programming, Domain Modelling |
A 12-week intensive coding bootcamp with an emphasis on:
- Object Orientated Programming
- TDD
- Self-led learning
- Agile working practices
- XP Values
- Pair programming
Two adult education evening classes:
- Programming for Beginners Using Python
- Introduction to HTML, CSS and JavaScript
- Qualified as a Licenced conveyancer in 2013, achieving the highest result in the year with a distinction in Conveyancing Law & Practice.
- Business Administration, BA (Hons) 2.2
- Managing a large case-load of residential property transactions
- Regular communication with clients and other stakeholders
- Designing standard letters, forms, checklists and guidance leaflets for clients
- Updating colleagues with legislative and transactional changes
- I started here as a trainee and quickly progressed to become an experienced conveyancer with a large client base.
- I ran the conveyancers' training programme for the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme and helped to design standard forms and letters.
- Director & Company Secretary for the freehold company that owns the block of flats I live in
- Mentor to two Makers Academy students
- Coach at CodeBar Brighton
- Run an annual Pro Evolution Soccer tournament
- Write my own music and play the guitar, bass, piano and synth
- Take part in and am a volunteer steward for 5k/10k/Half Marathon races
- Long-suffering supporter of the England Men's Cricket Team
Professional and personal references are available on request.