Physicist turned software developer; I love solving problems and figuring out how to make something work. After seeing the impact that effective collaboration between humans and tech had in the education and hospitality sectors, I wanted to use the analytical side of my brain to create intuitive products that solve real world problems. I am now looking for a junior engineering role to use my growing technology and creative problem solving skills, with my love of learning to build empowering products.
| Name | Description | Development Time | Tech/tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parrot Party | Makers final group project: an ioS mobile app to automate the process of rehoming tropicals birds across the country | 2 weeks | MERN with React Native, AWS Buckets, MapQuest API, Jest |
| IkeBook | Part of an 8 person team to build a social media app with a Rails API and React Native front end | 2 weeks | Ruby on Rails, RSpec, React Native, Jest |
| ApeBnb | A group project to build an airbnb clone, learning MVC and end-to-end testing | 1 week | Ruby, RSpec, CSS, HTML, Capybara, Sinatra |
| Rio's Pieces of Eight | A single page web app for notetaking, written in pure JavaScript and a custom testing framework | 3 days | Javascript, custom testing framework, HTML, CSS |
I have a methodical approach to solving problems, which I employed regularly throughout my degree in both practical and theoretical Physics. I was able to determine why an experimental set up was not working or solve a complex mathematical problem. Being an analtyical thinker, I questioned all aspects of the problem and was able to break down large, complicated physics problems into smaller, simpler steps for which I could start building a solution. This methodical approach meant I graduated with first class honours. Problem solving has been a key skill in learning to code at Makers, where I have applied my problem solving skills to debugging, code reviews and understanding a potentials clients point of view in order to provide solutions. I am able to take a large and at first sight complicated feature and break it down into many small tasks/tickets, which are much easier to solve. I have also enjoyed doing code reviews to continue to improve my problem solving process.
I started as waitress and moved quickly through management roles to become restaurant manager of a new branch within six months. I adapted quickly to leading a team and learnt how to keep a restaurant running smoothly. It was a steep learning curve, having little experience in hospitality, but I enjoyed the challenge and quickly devloped my management and interpersonal skills. My love of learning has helped me in my tech journey where there is so much to be curious about. Enrolling in an intensive bootcamp like Makers meant I was introduced to many technologies over a short space of time. One week I was building a single page front end app in Javascript, the next I was part of an eight person team and creating my first mobile app in React Native. I was able to learn a lot quickly and weekly reflection, as well as my self-awareness, helped me remain comfortable working in a constantly changing environment.
I have confident communication skills thanks to my experience in people-facing roles in hospitality and teaching. Whilst volunteering in after-school teaching, I had a student who’s reading age was slipping and the parents had noticed that they were no longer reading at home or completing their reading record. Communication was key here in understanding where the problem lay; I spent time talking to the student to learn as much about their reading and asking the parents questions and listening carefully to gain more insight. Fully understanding the problem through communication, I was then able to plan a solution more effectively to re-engage the student, which led to renewed enthusiasm for reading and the student’s reading record being completed every day. I have found communication to be fundamental at Makers, I pair programmed from the very start and was therefore constantly communicating my thought processes with to my partner. At the end of a session, we spent time giving and receiving feedback respectfully. I further strengthened my communication skills by leading team stand ups and retros. I presented two team projects to my cohort and wider audience, answering questions from technical and non-technical audiences confidently.
I am a good teamplayer and strongly believe everyone has something to contribute to a team. Being empathetic, I can create a personalized approach to everyone and am able to see their differences and specialties. Empathy was particularly necessary in teaching to understand students' particular struggles and therefore design a better program of work to help them reach their full potential. As a restaurant manager, I have seen how much good teamwork matters in delivering a good product (in this case a pleasant dining experience). I found that being a teamplayer was essential at Makers whilst working in teams of people with different backgrounds, motivations and levels of tech experience. I value open and friendly communication within a team so that all team members are aware of each other's emotions and challenges in order to mitigate conflict and create a productive working environment. Knowledge sharing during team stand ups ensured no one felt left behind and the team progressed as a whole to create high quality products.
A selective 16 week intensive bootcamp where I practised the following principles:
- Worked in a team following agile processes, XP values, sprints and standups.
- Pair programmed, gave and received feedback respectfully.
- Code reviews and process workshops assisted me in building on my problem solving process.
- During team projects we created user stories, defined an MVP and timeline, broke the features down into tickets and managed the workflow using a Trello board.
- Collaborated on code using GitHub for version control.
- TDD, BDD, Object Oriented programming and used attention to detail to write clean, easily maintained and well tested code.
- Self-directed learning, responsible for my learning journey through the course and reflection.
- Emotional intelligence curriculum strengthened soft skills in teamwork, communication and empathy.
- Integrated Physics MSci
- 1st Class Honours
- Selected lecture courses: Methods of Theoretical Physics, Computational Physics (Programming in Language C), Environmental Physics, Quantum Physics, General Relativity, Physics with Philosophy
- Final year project: Theoretical project, modelling 2d plane light waves using Mathematica.
- Maths A-Level: A
- Physics A-Level: A
- Chemistry A-Level: A
- Latin AS-Level: A
Teaching assistant at a diverse, inner city state primary school. I was the additional support teacher to a year 4 class of multi-national students, focussing on one child with behavioural needs.
- Responsible for creating optimal learning environments to assist children with special educational needs, this required clear communication and empathy.
- Worked in a team with the class teacher and other support staff to provide additional teaching during lesson time.
- Used attention to detail when marking quarterly performance tests in Maths, English and Science.
- Conflict management and empathy were required regularly to maintain a productive learning environment for a student with special behavioural needs.
After 6 months at the original branch, first as waitress and then assistant manager, I moved to the new branch to be restaurant manager.
- High levels of leadership and self management were required to lead fifteen front of house staff.
- I worked closely with back of house, restaurant owners and other branch managers, giving and receiving feedback and sharing knowledge to ensure delivery of a consistent and reliable service in both restaurants.
- Confident communication required for the introduction of and training staff in two apps for increasing customer numbers
- I was asked to return to the restaurant to help with the adjustments needed for reopening during the pandemic. I was creative in my problem solving to find solutions for the issues facing the restaurant.
Since graduating I have always worked with students after school for additional teaching in STEM subjects, either through an agency, privately or volunteering. I tutored 11+, GCSE and A-level Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics and volunteered after school reading practise for children with English as a second language.
- Communicated with parents and/or agency and empathised with the student in order to create tailored solutions for subject areas lacking in confidence.
- Teaching during the pandemic required new and creative ways of teaching to keep children engaged and learning.
- Prepared a student over 3 months for the 11+ Mathematics entrance exam to the top school in the country, to which they were accepted. This required adaptability to constantly change the learning resources as the student progressed.
I love being active and playing sports - cycling, football, tennis, skiing, swimming (cold water!), walking. I enjoy long cycle rides with friends where I can head out of London and find some water to swim in! And I play football: for a mixed casual 5-a-side and women's 11-a-side. I am a sorry Arsenal fan 😔
Pottery: I've been part of a pottery studio for the last 3 years where I make and sell functional pottery. I espeically enjoy throwing on the wheel. Sewing/Knitting: I make my own clothes and textiles. Woodwork: I recently made my first piece of furniture.
Solving and writing cryptic crosswords (one self published only), playing cards and games.
Working in Japanese restaurant gave me a love of food! Either cooking at home or eating out. I love dumplings.
When possible, I enjoy visiting new places. Highlights include travelling to Georgia by train to hike in the Caucasus Mountains in 2018 and a 10-day cycle trip down the west coast of Ireland in 2019.