At Routeique, my role has been a full stack software developer working on the PHP-based Laravel framework in the backend and the JavaScript-based React framework in the front. I was tapped with enhancing the user interface and user experience shortly after starting at Routeique, which leveraged my extensive styling knowledge and design skills. This also helped accelerate my understanding of the React framework and allowed me to bring value to the company from day one.My previous experience with the Django web framework helped me pickup Laravel quickly. Although not my first language of choice, PHP has nevertheless increased my understanding of object-oriented programming in general and shone a light on the power of strict typing (in any programming language) in terms of development across a team and in producing a more maintainable codebase.

Protest Nation is a social platform focused on connecting people with protests organized around common interests. It's also a place to find information on protest events and movements making headlines around the world.Protest Nation gives organizers the ability to add events organized around an agenda where things like marches and guests can be scheduled. These events can then be discovered by users looking to get involved in protests focused on issues they care about. Participants can share content like photos, videos, links and text on a protest's feed before, during and after the event has taken place. Taken together, this helps grow awareness for and promotes active participation in causes of all types.The idea of Protest Nation was conceived over 10-years ago; however, the skills to do the platform justice were not there at that time. These skills have been rapidly developing over the past four years, culminating in the development of the platform for the capstone project of my recent Master of Engineering (Software) degree.Protest Nation is a Python-based web application developed on the Django web framework, utilizing "vanilla" JavaScript, HTML and CSS in the frontend. Java-based Elasticsearch has been integrated as the search engine, with everything orchestrated via Docker.

At BiLD, we are working to revolutionize the way owners, operators and users think about and interact with buildings. Our web-based tool focuses on tracking buildings from the component level, allowing for accesses to information related to documentation, maintenance events and even real-time monitoring of vital building systems. We then utilize this data across our network to provide predictive analysis on building components and comparative analysis on buildings as a whole. We call this Building Intelligence.My role at BiLD is focused on the design and development of the core functionality and user interface of our web app. On top of that, I work closely with my co-founder on the continual development and implementation of branding and marketing strategies.

My role at JRS Engineering spanned the full spectrum of typical responsibilities within an engineering consulting firm. This included project management, design, contract administration, field reviews and business development. The project portfolio was equally diverse and included building condition assessments, roofing reviews, parkade membrane repairs, structural rehabilitation and full building envelope replacements.While working at JRS Engineering, I become much more familiar with the design, maintenance and review of a building's envelope. Major areas of knowledge gain included the importance of properly detailed transitions between individual building components, the importance of secondary drainage planes in cladding assemblies, as well as the optimized placement of air and vapour barriers. The importance of these and other building science concepts will only increase as uncertainties in future climate patterns continue to increase.While at JRS I also gained valuable experience with project management. Building envelope projects have a tendency to venture in to the unknown as a lot of the issues are not obvious at the outset. Ensuring that the right amount of review goes in to identify the issues, narrowing in on potential solutions, building a well developed design package, procuring competent contractors for the bidding process and reviewing the reconstruction phase––all while guiding and managing the client's expectations––were major areas where experience was gained. While at JRS, I also thought a lot about the future of buildings. Owner’s face mounting challenges as increasing demands on building performance and reduced budgets for maintenance and upgrades come to a head. The opportunity to apply emerging technologies in the building space, in terms of how they are designed, maintained and operated, is a big reason why I decided to leave JRS and pursue more formalized training in software engineering.

At Stephenson Engineering LTD., I worked on a number of projects as a contract administrator and junior designer. These included multiple schools throughout Alberta, a 70-storey tower in Vancouver, a municipal operations building in Saskatoon, as well as numerous smaller projects throughout Calgary.While at Stephenson Engineering, I was able to further hone my field experience, communication skills, and build on my previous design experience. The project work required a collaborative, detail orientated work mentality, which suited my engineering sensibilities well and allowed me to excel as part of the structural team.

At NORR Architects Engineers and Planners, I was able to build on my previous structural design experience, while taking on the contract administration duties on a number of diverse projects. Seeing a project from conception, to design, and through to construction has provided insights into the fundamental link between good design and constructability.The project work that I was involved in included residential, industrial and commercial. This diverse range of industries afforded the opportunity to design with wood, steel and concrete. Moreover, the nature of CA work meant that my problem solving skills were put to the test daily. These skills require not only engineering fundamentals, but also the ability to communicate technical information with clients, contractors and fabricators.

The internship opportunity at Williams Engineering has provided me with experience in structural design and engineering. An emphasis on acquiring fundamental knowledge of structural principles and applying that knowledge to real-world projects has helped to cultivate my skill-set. The opportunity to work with a number of engineers and technologists with a range of expertise and experience has added an immeasurable quality and diversification to my internship.Some specific skills acquired in wood design have been framing layout, beam/post sizing, stud wall design, and lateral (shear wall) design. In concrete, skills and experience include the design of beams, columns/walls, foundations, anchors and slabs. In steel design skills and experience include framing layout, beam/column sizing, cross bracing design, deck and joist sizing, and load bearing steel stud design.

As a freelance designer, my goal is to ensure that my clients' expectations are always exceeded. The task is to first conceptualize their vision—be it in a website or as a brand—and then produce a finished product that captures that vision successfully. When these two things converge—the concept and the creation—happiness abounds. When they do not, then it is back to the drawing board until the right combination is found. The relentless pursuit of a satisfied customer is what typifies my experience as a freelance designer thus far.