Computer Science Grad & self-taught dev teaching ReactJs / NodeJs and Full Stack Development.

Find out more about Brad

• 1) Can you tell us about your first experience using a computer?

  My first real experience of enjoying using a computer would be when I was a teenager. I first learned to build websites for my family business with a basic understanding of HTML and CSS. It felt immensely rewarding to build something myself, which I'm sure is what ignited a passion for software engineering.

• 2) What is the technological evolution that has marked you most and what will be, in your eyes, a turning point in this field?

  I believe the evolution of JavaScript in the past 10 years has had an immensely positive impact on the developer landscape. From ReactJs and NextJS to NodeJS and React Native, these advancements have reshaped the way we build web and mobile applications and have brought about a new era of efficiency and versatility in software development.

• 3) Explain your expertise, your interest in it and, more broadly, its importance in the computer world.

  As a Computer Science graduate with five years of extensive JavaScript development experience, my expertise lies at the intersection of theoretical knowledge and practical application in the field of web development. My degree has taken me only so far however and it has been my own study and self-determination to learn new concepts and languages through YouTube and Udemy. My passion for web development is fuelled by a commitment to staying current with industry trends, solving complex problems, and fostering community engagement. This combination of expertise and genuine interest drives my continued growth and success in the field.

• 4) Do so-called 'visionaries', such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg inspire you or do you have other role models?

  While I admire the contributions of visionaries like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg, I draw inspiration from a variety of sources. I'm particularly impressed by individuals like George Hotz and those advancing the field of artificial intelligence.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  During a server-side project in school, I faced a problem where data retrieval became unbearably slow. Hours of troubleshooting didn't help and I came very close to quitting or just submitting my project with the error. Instead, I took a break and came back determined to fix my issue. This time I reached out on stack-overflow and very quickly got an answer to my optimization question identifying a poorly optimized database query as the culprit and making adjustments, dramatically improving the project's performance. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration, reaching out to those with more experience and just persisting through problems.

• 6) What would you say to an uncomfortable person in front of a screen who says that "IT is too complicated"?

  Anything can seem daunting at first and that's completely understandable which is why it's great to reach out and seek help from tutors. The world of software development can be a tricky field to get started in. It felt the same way for me and the best advice I can give is to start small, learn how things work and fit together before diving right into the nitty gritty code. Persistence is key. Understand there will be failures, but just fail fast and fail forward. keep moving forward.

• 7) What are your other passions, related or non-related to computers?

  I have a passion for exploring new places and eating a good burger or Pizza by the beach with a beer. I also surf, Skateboard and enjoy golf.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in IT?

  What makes me a SuperProf in IT is not just my expertise but also my teaching style, patience, and informal approach, which I believe creates an effective learning environment for students. I tailor my lessons to individual students by assessing their needs and goals, creating personalized learning plans and writing detailed notes that simplify complex concepts, ensuring clarity and retention, and emphasising hands-on projects. My open communication with students allows for timely feedback and I do my best to patiently explain challenging concepts, fostering a safe environment for questions and my relaxed and friendly teaching style supports student comfort and confidence.