About Me

I'm Stephen, a proud Canadian, and an avid technology enthusiast. My journey has been a lifelong exploration of all things technology, particularly in the realm of software engineering.

My fascination with technology gravitates strongly towards .NET and the array of Microsoft Technologies. When it comes to web technologies, my trusty companions are C# and .NET - my go-to language and framework. I've also embraced the power of NodeJS with Express, which I employ for crafting robust back-end applications. Expanding my horizons, I'm currently immersing myself in Golang, intrigued by its potential as a versatile alternative for web back-end development.

Among the front-end frameworks, React has won my heart, boasting a treasure trove of packages that empower creativity. Its sprawling community provides invaluable support in times of challenge. At work, Angular has gradually grown on me, offering distinct advantages over React. As my allegiance leans towards TypeScript over JavaScript, and the growing love towards Angular, I believe React might get replaced as my go-to front-end framework.

GitHub serves as my faithful source control. GitHub simplifies CI/CD setup and monitoring. It also hosts a private NuGet registry and npm registry for packages. GitHub’s Container registry makes ongoing deployment of my projects easy, to my go-to cloud provider, Digital Ocean.

Please view my LinkedIn for my professional profile. I keep all my working history, education, certificates, projects and other related information updated there. Feel free to connect with me and say hi!

It’s fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.
— Bill Gates

A Bit More About Me

Allow me to share a glimpse of my journey with you. As someone who witnessed the evolution of technology from its nascent stages, including the birth of the internet and the strides in video games and PC hardware, and the dawn of artificial intelligence, I readily identify myself as a fervent technology enthusiast.

During the formative summers of my youth, my introduction to programming occurred through my enrolment in the Real Programming 4 Kids camp, a pivotal experience. Here, I delved into the world of game development, crafting my first creation – Donkey Kong – using Visual Basic .NET. This initiation into the realm of computer programming ignited a lifelong passion within me.

A decade onwards, I attained an Ontario Diploma in Protection, Security & Investigations from Humber College. My trajectory led me to join the Toronto Police Service as a civilian service member, aiming to pursue a career in law enforcement. However, after nearly two years, driven by various factors, I recognized that my true calling lay elsewhere. The burgeoning domain of cryptocurrency seized my interest, inspiring me to delve into Ethereum mining, rekindling my enthusiasm for computer science.

Coinciding with my Ethereum mining endeavours, I embarked on a Computer Science bachelor’s program at Lakehead University, a partnership with Georgian College, situated in Barrie, Ontario. Following my first year, life presented a profound juncture as my grandparents necessitated my care. I temporarily withdrew from Lakehead University to provide support, an intermission marked by the passing of my grandmother. Following a period of reflection, I embarked on the Computer Programming Analyst, Advanced Diploma program, at George Brown College. Anchored in Toronto, this choice enabled me to tend to my grandfather while pursuing my studies, culminating in a robust foundation for software development.

Intrigued by the dynamics of web applications and fortified by my George Brown College experience, my curiosity impelled me to augment my expertise. Hence, I enrolled in the eCornell Web App Development certificate program offered by Cornell University. This intensive undertaking immerses me in the comprehensive spectrum of full stack development, encompassing front-end design finesse, back-end optimization, adept data manipulation via databases, and adept application flow governance.

Through my odyssey of life experiences, one truth became evident: my destiny lies in software engineering. The dynamic challenges intrinsic to this field hold immense gratification, as they afford me the opportunity to tangibly enhance the lives of others. Just as the internet is an elemental facet of the global technological framework, I am convinced that it should be regarded as an inherent human entitlement. It's this belief that propels me toward a career dedicated to full stack development. Aligned with my conviction, the diploma program at George Brown College meticulously delves into web application development, encompassing a panorama of technologies and concepts pivotal to full stack prowess.

Embedded in my core philosophy is the perpetual pursuit of learning and personal growth. As a testament to this belief, I am presently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computing science through Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning. This online program empowers me to balance full-time work with part-time learning, fostering a continuous journey of knowledge acquisition.

In this juncture, fortified by a George Brown College education in web applications, I opt to augment my acumen further through the eCornell Web App Development certificate from Cornell University. As the realm of full stack development captures my focus, the immersive program equips me with the acumen to orchestrate holistic digital solutions. Thus, my journey is guided by an unwavering dedication for software engineering, a driving force that transforms challenges into rewarding pursuits, knowing that every endeavour has the potential to enrich the lives of others.