Project Highlights | Skills | Experience | Education | Personal Interests | Where To Find Me
I'm James; a personable, creative, energetic optician turned Full-Stack Developer seeking a challenging role at an agile company. I did a degree in Optics then a degree in Film. I love science, and I love ideas. Inspired by my peers and the tech/start-up culture, I aimed to forge a link between my creative and technical passions by making the switch to Software Engineering. I started reading about programming while teaching myself to create code via SoloLearn, Codecademy, and YouTube tutorials. Finally, I began building things at Makers, an intensive four-month Bootcamp. I loved it. The sheer possibility of it all struck me: the opportunity to work in so many emerging, in some cases, yet-to-exist fields; its accessibilty, and the self-revelation I love working as part of a team.
| Name | Prescription | Tech/tools | Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key-J | A web project that compares the musical key of two songs. A tool for DJs or enthusiasts to compare track compatibility | JavaScript, React, Node.js, Express, Jest, Puppeteer, Heroku | Teams work because their members are passionate about a shared, established goal |
| Acebook | A project to develop a Facebook-like social media platform. A platform for individuals to connect to each others' profile | Ruby-On-Rails, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, Devise, Active Storage, PostgreSQL, Capybara, RSpec, Heroku | Time spent on adequate planning at the start saves Time once the project is underway |
| MakersBnB | A web project to build an Airbnb clone ground up. For anyone to rent out or book a room or property | -Ruby, ERB, CSS, Sinatra, PostgreSQL, BCrypt, Capybara, RSpec, Rubocop, Simplecov | Functionality is everything. Styling is everything else. Drill deep down into the functionality first |
- Makers, London (Oct 2021 - present ): Mentor - to three Makers' trainee software developers at different course stages.
- Codebar, Edinburgh (Oct 2021 - present): Volunteer Coach - I enlisted to help to enable minority group members to code.
- Makers, London (May 2021 – Oct 2021): Trainee Full-Stack Developer - Discovering and unlocking potential in people for the benefit of 21st-century business and society: Makers is a highly selective 4-month, full-time program (preceded by a four-week pre-course) which teaches full-stack development. Makers are creating a new generation of tech talent for a new world of work.
- Specsavers Optical Group, Guernsey (Jan 2011 - April 2021): Qualified Optician - I served the eye care and retail optical needs of small-town to city-based companies. I ran clinics, where crucial decisions stopped with me. The job required me to work with precision, put nervous patients at ease, concentrate while doing repetitive tasks, adapt to new equipment, techniques, and tech. Optometry underscored my fascination with science while satisfying my desire to apply it to improve people's quality of life.
- Sony Music HQ, London (Sept 2009 - Jan 2011): Remote Researcher - I combed Sony Music Entertainment’s back catalogue of artists and music for creative potential, which might form the basis of a film. The Sony researching role forced me to draw on my curiosity, analytical mind, commitment, empathy, and systematic approach. It made me soak up details while simultaneously seeing any bigger picture relevance. I had to be self-reliant and organise my own time to meet deadlines with pitchable material.
- Working Title, London (May 2008 - Jul 2009): Working Title Action! Intern (one of two selected from 2000 applicants) - This programme is the UK’s pre-eminent Film internship scheme, offering a unique insight into working in an international Film production company. I worked on a project-focused basis in development and production roles—alongside experienced creative and production executives to gain first-hand experience developing projects from inception through to production and release:
- Liaising with internal/external stakeholders at various levels regularly.
- Contributing to ad-hoc projects, which included conducting research and writing/proofreading copy.
- Collating various reports and updates for distribution as appropriate.
- Maintaining a calendar of events, adjusting according to changes in schedules.
- Providing admin support to the team and additional support to the necessary Directors/VPs as required.
- Working Title cites the following as essential required skills for any candidate to be considered for the role:
- Proactive and enthusiastic with the ability to work autonomously to deadlines, take the initiative and keep calm under pressure.
- Outstanding attention to detail and excellent organisational skills, and ability to effectively prioritise and manage workload.
- Self-starter and fast learner and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a busy team.
- Strong office administration and IT skills
- Ability to work with confidential materials discreetly and responsibly.
- Excellent communicator (both written and verbal) with strong interpersonal skills; confident in communication with senior management.
- Willingness to learn and a “can-do” attitude.
- 16-week intensive coding Bootcamp: Ruby, JavaScript, SQL, HTML/CSS, Rails, RSpec, Jasmine, React, PostgreSQL.
- OOP, TDD, MVC, MVP, Clean code, Agile/XP values, Project planning, Self-led learning, Pair programming (270+ hours).
- TGO88: Linux Essentials Extension Course
- Focusing on OOP, Classes
- Udemy, SoloLearn, Codecademy, Chris Pine 'Learn to Program', Uncle Bob's 'Clean Code'
- Film Production, BA (1st)
- Won prize for the most industrious student in a 110-strong year group.
- Interned in bustling company environments at Working Title and Big Talk.
- Studied Film Making, Shooting Film. Digital transfer for Editing on Avid.
- Dissertation on Science Fiction and The Evolution of Technology on Film.
- Screenwriting, Filmmaking & Editing (AAA)
- New Hampshire / Course Extension / U.S. Exchange
- BSc Optometry (2:1)
- Modules in Neurophysiology, Physics, Further Maths, Philosophy, Human Perception.
- Dissertation on Holography and The User Illusion.
- Vice President of Optics Society.
Films, Twin Peaks, board games, cards, ideas, concepts, lateral thinking problems, researching speculative technology, writing dystopian fiction and feature films. I take long walks with my dog, Ernest. My daughter and I can build anything out of Play-Doh.
At any of the following 👉 : Codewars | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Stack overflow | Discord | Reddit