Michael Squires Email & Phone Number

“Everyone’s born to do a certain thing and if you’re dead jimmy you’ve found it. And if you’re good at something, just keep doing it until you’re fed up… then do something else” [Billy Connolly].Whilst maths and IT were always my strongest suits, an interest in life-sciences (alongside a love of dogs and reading James Herriot at an impressionable age) led me to pursue a career as a veterinary surgeon and as of 2020 I had amassed 25 years experience of small animal veterinary practice (private and charity sector work) with the last ten years as owner and Director of my own practice (Highfield Veterinary Centre in Sheffield).However, I have alway maintained an interest in IT and coding and having sold my practice in 2019 came to the realisation that I was ready for a career change. I love the analytical nature of coding and its "logic-based creativity." As a teenager I wrote programs in BASIC for my ZX Spectrum / Sinclair QL (and had some code published). I did a little coding in Pascal during an intercalated BSc (Biology and Medical Sciences) at ImperiaI College, London. I also undertook some Open University modules in Computing for Commerce and Industry alongside my earlier veterinary career. Last year I taught myself Javascript in preparation for undertaking a 14 week full-stack coding bootcamp with Northcoders. I have recently (January 2021) graduated from that course and am now pursuing my first developer role.I feel that my years as a veterinary surgeon and practice owner have given me a wealth of communication and business skills that can only be an asset in any new role.Away from a keyboard, I love the wilds and am a very keen fell runner, as well as enjoying climbing, mountaineering and skiing, or just to be out walking our two dogs (who refuse to run with me).