Skills | Projects | Education | Experience | Interests | LinkedIn
I am itching to start my career as a web developer - I love the constant problem solving, iterative processes, continuous learning and opportunities to collaborate.
With a background in publishing, I love building something from ideas as to how it will look, feel and function. I want to use my problem solving skills and process-focused outlook together with my love of syntax to write clean, tested and reusable code.
I have just finished studying at Makers Academy, an intensive developer bootcamp. I'm looking for my first developer role in a learning-friendly environment where I can be creative and challenged.
| Project | Description | Timeframe | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doodler (visit on Heroku) | Final team project building Pictionary played with an AI model, trained to recognise three different drawings | 9 days, weeks 11 and 12 | Python, Pytest, Splinter, Flask, JavaScript, JQuery, Keras, Tensorflow, CSS |
| Acebook (visit on Heroku) | Team project to build a Facebook clone using Agile principles | 9 days, weeks 8 and 9 | Ruby on Rails, RSpec, Capybara, CSS, Postgres |
| InstaCat | Weekend challenge to build an Instagram clone | 1 day, week 8 | Ruby on Rails, RSpec, Capybara, CSS, Postgres |
| Bowling scorecard | Weekend challenge to build a bowling scorecard | 4 days, weeks 5 and 6 | JavaScript, jQuery, Jasmine, CSS |
| Airport in JavaScript | Rebuild a previous project using JavaScript | 2 days, week 5 | JavaScript, Jasmine |
| Rock, Paper, Scissors | Weekend challenge to build a web app to play Rock, Paper, Scissors | 2 days, week 3 | Ruby, Sinatra, RSpec, Capybara, CSS |
I am quick to learn new technologies and systems. When a new in-house workflow system was introduced at Springer Nature, I put myself forward to be a 'key user'. After receiving intensive training on the system, I delivered this back to colleagues and became the main port of call on our UK site for production-related system queries.
At Makers Academy, I have picked up quickly new technical skills, as well as ways of working. This has included learning new technical frameworks in a group environment.
I am an advocate for Agile - for efficiency, adaptability and to ensure quality - and pair programming - to learn, to teach, to share and upskill, and to make clean code. I find both of these ways of working to be invaluable to me individually as well as in the teams I have worked in, increasing productivity, buy-in and facilitating group and individual learning.
From breaking down a business problem into manageable chunks while at Zed Books to developing an effective debugging technique while at Makers, excellent problem breakdown and solving skills will be at the core of my work as a web developer. I have deconstructed challenges during the bootcamp into detailed user stories and established acceptance criteria. Breaking the problem down into manageable specifications has driven the code and tests I need to write, and led to a cleaner and more efficient solution.
In publishing, production is where the Is are dotted and the Ts crossed. With years of experience in proofreading and supplier quality control management, I have a meticulous eye for detail. Attention to the finer points is also something I have introduced systematically, for example by moving Zed Books' academic titles to an XML-first workflow to improve consistency in layout and quality of referencing.
I love approaching tasks creatively, but wear my practical hat while doing so. I am able to turn vague ideas into detailed briefs, ensuring all elements are considered, costed and prepared with sufficient time. These are skills I really honed while at Zed Books. For example, I worked with the art department and external suppliers on how to achieve more sophisticated print finishes, whilst delivering on time and in budget.
From handling over 200 titles a year at Palgrave Macmillan to being on the board of directors at Zed Books, planning, strategising and organising are some of my key strengths. Years of scheduling months ahead, as well as being able to accommodate last minute changes, will prove excellent preparation for life as a developer: being able to see the big picture and how things will slot together but with the flexibility to respond to changes.
A 16-week intensive development bootcamp, with a focus on:
- Pair programming
- OOP best practices
- All projects written using TDD
- Agile development process and XP values
- Ruby, Rails, Python, JavaScript, Sinatra
- RSpec, Capybara, Pytest, Jasmine
- Git workflow
- Travis CI
- Heroku deployment and CD
- Code reviews
- English Literature BA Hons (2:1)
- Dissertation title: Redefining Cavalier Poetry: Richard Lovelace, Thomas Carew and Hester Pulter
- Sub editor at The Courier student newspaper
- A-levels in Mathematics (A), English Literature (A) and Government and Politics (A) and AS-level in Biology (A), 2006 - 2008
- 12 GCSEs including Mathematics, English and Triple Science Award (all A*)
Zed Books (June 2017 - February 2019)
Production Director
Led on strategy and processes for the production of Zed Books' print and e-publications, including product specification, operational workflows, budget setting and tracking, and supplier management. As cooperative co-owner and director, led on aspects of and contributed to overall business strategy.
RSA (January 2017 - June 2017)
Area Coordinator
Provided operational, logistical and administrative support for communications and events across five UK areas, including preparing and tracking marketing communications and website content.
Springer Nature (December 2014 - December 2016)
Production Editor, Palgrave Macmillan
Managed production schedules, processes and data for 200-250 titles a year, working in an XML-first workflow. Part of a 'key user’ group for the development and implementation of an in-house workflow system, including formulating and testing functionality with developers and senior colleagues from across the business.
Incisive Media (October 2011 - November 2014)
Books Editor, Central Banking Publications
Promoted from Editorial Assistant, Risk Books and Central Banking Publications
Commissioned, developed and produced all titles for Central Banking Publications, including managing, appointing and negotiating with authors and suppliers.
- Tate Member since 2012
- Fellow of the RSA
- Alzheimer's Society Dementia Friend
- Regular at Pilates
- Avid podcast listener - favourites include Revisionist History, Moral Maze and Ear Hustle