Overview of Career and Capabilities


My next role

I can match the requirements of a number of roles, such as: project development (possibly Internet and/or multi-media), programming (DHTML, Javascript, JAVA), help systems/facilities, research in IT, and writing (technical manuals, web pages, documentation, help texts etc.).

I would welcome work concerning the Internet. My computing, writing and presentation skills are particularly applicable to this exciting and pervasive medium. I would prefer to find a permanent position within commutable distance of Milton Keynes (eg. London, Luton, Buckingham, Northampton), and I would be happy to consider either part-time or temporary work.

Summary
  • My web development and design skills can be seen at my web sites.
  • I have a PhD and managerial experience.
  • I have a breadth of experience in IT, and can learn a new application or development environment quickly.
  • I am a capable and versatile writer.
  • I have teaching/lecturing experience, and can make effective presentations.
  • I am currently seeking work involving the Internet.
Career

My career path		 I am an experienced teacher, tutor and lecturer. I have also worked for several companies that specialise in computing. I gained my PhD as a full-time postgraduate researcher at the Open University, and then obtained a lectureship in Computer Studies at the South Bank University. Since then, I have worked on projects for three companies in Milton Keynes: the Bloor Research Group, Millar Management Systems and the Butler Group.

I have more than fifteen years experience of computing, detailed knowledge of software development methods (such as RAD), and some practical on-site experience. In addition to my computing background, I can offer academic experience, strong writing skills and teaching/lecturing experience. I was highly praised for my writing at Bloor, Millar and the Butler Group.

Some of the most useful periods of my career have occurred between jobs. During these times I have learned to type (at evening classes), to program in various languages, and I have improved my writing and presentation skills. I am always creating -and learning- something. My focus is currently on JAVA and the web... with occasional breaks to polish an ongoing writing project.

If you follow the link to Example of my work you will find some of the material that I prepared for the Human-Computer Systems unit at the South Bank University. Similar handouts were provided for each of the ten weeks of the unit.

Character

Select the link to my Curriculum Vitae for more detailed information. You will see that some of my periods of employment were brief. This was due to contracts, the volatility of the computing industry, and (twice) because I was in the wrong role. I would describe myself as an active problem solver and producer rather than a salesperson. I am currently taking time out to update my computing skills, but I am confident that I will eventually find a niche position where my abilities will be valued.

I am thorough and dedicated in my approach to work. For example, before the Bloor Research Group implemented its current (and very successful) business strategy, it had reached a point where several recently appointed members of staff were laid off. I was given a month's pay in lieu of notice, but I continued to work for the entire month until I had completed a Business Strategy Document concerning Rapid Application Development. This eventually found a home in the Bloor report: "Fast Application Development".

Computing Knowledge

Since completing my doctorate, most of my work has involved client/server technology and Windows PCs. The following table shows the development and breadth of my computing experience (most recent first):

Butler Group Researched client/server trends and issues, worked with the Internet and email at work and home, became Windows proficient. Since leaving the Butler group, I have extended my knowledge of Windows, the Internet, DHTML, JavaScript and JAVA.
Millar Management Systems Practical experience of large scale client/server developments, worked on laptop PCs (Windows 95) & examined Visual Basic.
Bloor Research Group Researched client/server systems and Rapid Application Development (RAD), worked with Windows 3.1 & the Internet.
South Bank University Learned ADA, lectured in C, ADA and HyperTalk. Learned (and taught) formal programming methods: software design, Jackson Structured Programming, metrics, testing, quality assurance etc. Created a variety of educational resources, including software on Macs and Vax.
The Open University Learned C and research methods. Wrote thesis relating to object oriented programming. Experience of C++, Smalltalk and Lisp, also Macs and Archimedes. Educational software theory.
Acorn Computers Ltd. Managed projects from initiation to production. Modular programming in BBC Basic and 6502 Assembler. Developed educational software for schools and the home.
Computer Literacy Tutor in Leeds Learned to program from scratch, initially on a Tandy TRS-80 then a BBC micro. Wrote educational software and learned to teach adults.

~~Don Clark's Website

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