who is michael?

Hello! I am a Masters of Software Engineering graduate from the University of Calgary. Since earning my undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering in 2017, I have worked as an Engineering Intern for an aerial data acquisition and geospatial data processing company and as a Data Analyst for a management system consulting company in the Oil & Gas industry.

My journey into the world of tech officially started during the COVID-19 pandemic, where I have renewed the passion I had in school for learning new skills after taking Barbara Oakley's "Mindshift" course on Coursera. This course has taught me to realize the value in adopting a learning lifestyle, to broaden my passions, and to embrace the idea that personal traits I have previously seen as bad for learning can actually be beneficial traits.

After completing "Mindshift", this experience has pushed me to keep my mind active and stay busy. Instead of continuing to just sample free Python coding courses on CodeAcademy, or learning from small programming articles on websites like Data Science Central, I have fully committed to adding more tools to my toolbox by enrolling in online programming courses to build real projects. I have completed "The Complete 2021 Web Development Bootcamp" on Udemy, where I got the opportunity to develop skills in Full-Stack Web Development through building a variety of Web applications. I have also taken the "100 Days of Code" Python Bootcamp to build various projects in Web App Development, Desktop App Development, Automation, Web Scraping, Gaming, and Data Science using Python. Both of these courses have been excellent for a beginner like myself, and have helped build a solid base of knowledge and confidence that I can learn from any resource.

I have been able to use these newly acquired skills to contribute as Data Analyst at The Mustard Seed, where I was able to apply my newfound knowledge to help the data team gain insights into donation data and present them for donor relations, marketing, and fundraising teams to help them optimize their processes. Eventually, my desire to further refine my skills under the guidance of experienced Software and Machine Learning Engineers motivated me to enroll in the Masters of Software Engineering program at the University of Calgary in 2022, where I have gained exposure to many different areas in tech - especially Full-Stack Software Development, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, and Data Analysis. In the future, I would like to continue further expanding my skill set by learning about other languages/frameworks like Django and Ruby on Rails, and build simple projects that would tie into my passions.

In my spare time, I enjoy yoga, learning to play guitar, trying different kinds of food (and hot sauces!), getting lost in Wikipedia rabbit holes, playing around on PhotoShop, and binge-watching sitcoms, crime dramas, reality shows, and game shows. I am also an avid fan of Hockey and Basketball, and I am always seeking inspiration for potential ideas on these topics for personal projects in the future. I also enjoy volunteering for organizations like Sport Calgary, which gives children an opportunity to discover a new sport and promotes active living. Additionally, I am always seeking new ways to upgrade and refine my skill set through online courses.

I didn't necessarily start learning programming with the singular goal of becoming a Software Developer, as I was simply taking advantage of an opportunity to add skills during an unprecedented time. I did not expect this journey to lead me back to school and getting a Masters in Software Engineering, but I have enjoyed every moment of it so far and I am proud of the projects I have worked on! Creating this portfolio website in particular has been extremely rewarding as an outlet for applying my problem-solving skills, creativity, and all the programming concepts I have learned to date. My interests lie in Data Analysis, Full Stack Development, Software Engineering, and Teaching.

Have an opportunity in Engineering, Tech, or somewhere else where I could potentially apply the bits of knowledge I have gained thus far and grow into a specific role? Need a copy of my resume? Interested in learning more about me and my background? Feel free to contact me! →