Education

What I'm learning and building

At 27, I made the decision to change careers and return to education - a big step that’s shaped the last few years of my life. Coming from a background in heating engineering, I wanted to pursue something that challenged me in new ways and aligned with my curiosity for technology and problem solving. A curiosity shared by both engineering and computer science. Now 29 and approaching graduation, I’m proud of how far I’ve come and excited for the opportunities ahead.

What I’m Learning

My HND Software Development course covers a broad range of subjects in computing, software engineering, and systems design. From the foundations of programming to applied development practices.

Software Engineering: Object-Oriented Programming, Programming Paradigms, Testing, and Systems Development.
Web Development: Advanced Web Scripting, Mobile Web Applications, User-Centered Design.
Databases & Systems: SQL, Database Design, Computer Systems Fundamentals, Troubleshooting Software Problems.
Professional Skills: Project Management, Team Working in Computing, Professionalism and Ethics.
Mathematics & Logic: Calculus, Matrices, and Logical Reasoning for Computing.

In addition to my HND at Edinburgh College I’m studying Fundamentals of Computer Science at Heriot-Watt University as an extra module in my last year, where I’m exploring topics such as propositional logic, Boolean algebra, and reasoning frameworks giving me a deeper appreciation of how mathematics and logic underpin computing. This module also introduces OCaml, expanding my experience beyond traditional imperative languages.

What I'm Working On Right Now

HND Web Project – Horror Themed Cinema Website

This is an HND project to design a responsive cinema website focused on horror films. The site includes movie listings, user accounts, seat selection and a modern UI built with HTML, CSS, PHP and JavaScript. All films, screening times and bookings are stored in a relational SQL database. This project demonstrates my growing front-end design skills, as well as logical problem solving and attention to accessibility.

The final submission brought together interface design, database integration and advanced scripting, and received excellent feedback from my lecturer for both technical quality and professionalism.

Project Feedback

Lecturer feedback for horror cinema website project

"Your commitment and effort throughout this course have been exceptional, and it is clear that you have surpassed expectations at every stage. You have produced all required evidence for the units Developing Mobile Web Apps and Advanced Scripting to an outstanding standard, demonstrating not only a complete mastery of the learning outcomes but also a depth of detail and professionalism well beyond what was required.

Your work ethic, problem-solving ability, and consistency have been truly impressive. I wish you every success as you move forward continue to apply this level of dedication and you will be in an excellent position to achieve an A in the graded unit.

Wishing you the best for the future!"

— S.M., Lecturer (Edinburgh College)

Skills & Tools

HTML CSS PHP JavaScript Java Python SQL MySQL NetBeans VS Code

Looking Ahead

As I approach the end of my HND in Software Development, I’m looking forward to taking the next step into a professional environment where I can keep learning and apply my skills to real-world challenges.

With a background in engineering and a passion for technology, I enjoy solving problems, building reliable solutions, and working with others to improve how things are done. My goal is to build a long-term career where curiosity, creativity, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything I do.