After Graduating earlier this year Simon Bennett tells us about his time at University of Wales Trinity Saint David studying for a BSc (Hons) in Web Development:
For course information please click here: http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/computing/
Up-coming Events
2014
We have some exciting events coming-up that you might be interested in. The events are fantastic opportunities to meet new people, learn new sills, increase your network and very often lead to great employment opportunities.
- Swansea’s Tech Start-up Weekend will start on Friday 21st November at 6pm through to Sunday at 8pm. If you are looking to start a business or gain some business start-up experience this event is for you. Great Prizes available and Great experience to enhance your CV. + You will be provided with free breakfast lunch dinner drinks and snacks all weekend to keep you going + FREE PIZZA ;-). The event is taking place at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea (located behind Sainsbury’s), we are meeting at 6pm on the 21st Nov. Tickets normally cost £35, however if you are a student of the School of Applied Computing UWTSD you go for free. To reserve a place simply e-mail james.williams@sm.uwtsd.ac.uk. For more information please visit the Global Start-up Weekend website which includes information for first-timers.
- Code Clubs are running up until Christmas. Code Club is an opportunity for all people regardless of coding experience to get together and learn about different aspects of coding. Each club begins with a guest speaker sharing their experience of being a developer, followed by an introduction to a topic and a few challenges on Coderbyte. The club is BYOD (bring your own device) so please bring along your laptop or Mac book and we’ll supply the pizza! We meet one Thursday per month, between 18:00-19:30, in the TechHub Swansea. For more information please click here.
- Software Development Round Table, A monthly software development meet-up to discuss technology, practices or whatever else takes our fancy. The meet is on the last Monday of every month. Next meeting is on Monday, November 24, 2014, 7 to 9:00 pm. If you’re using some new technology you think others would be interested in, if you’ve got a design or some code you’d like to discuss, if you’d like to discuss a specific practice, a problem you are having or you’d simply like to see what others have got to say – come along and join in. This is an informal session, you don’t need any particular experience and you don’t need to have suggestions – just bring yourself. For more information please click-here.
- Making Big Data work: Interested in working with Big Data? Need help getting Started? Check out this free event = in Cardiff Bay on the 25th November, 9:15 – 3:30pm, at the: Big Data Life Sciences Hub, Assembly Sq, Cardiff Bay. For more information please click here: http://www.hpcwales.co.uk/making-big-data-work. To register: tinyurl.com/bigdataworkshop.
Swansea’s Techhub Start-up Weekend will start on the 21st November. If you are looking to start a business or gain some business start-up experience with someone who has a great idea this weekend is for you. Entrepreneur, Software Developers, Designers and Marketers all attend the event to work together on a new business idea that they then present as a team to the judges on the Sunday night. Great Prizes available and Great experience to enhance your CV. + You will be provided with free breakfast lunch dinner drinks and snacks all weekend to keep you going + FREE PIZZA ;-).
The event is taking place at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea (located behind Sainsbury’s), we are meeting at 6pm on the 21st Nov. Tickets normally cost £35, however if you are a student of the School of Applied Computing UWTSD you go for free. To reserve a place simply e-mail james.williams@sm.uwtsd.ac.uk.
To review last year’s event and entries please click-here.
Many Companies contact the School of Applied Computing to request Computing Graduates, some recent examples include Waters Creative and HiTech Labs below:
Waters Creative Ltd are looking for a Junior Developer familiar with PHP, MySQL, HTML, CSS and Javascript technologies. For more information please click-here. For many more local Web Development jobs please click here: indeed WebDev jobs, Monster WebDev jobs in Wales. For information about the School’s Web Development degree please click-here.
Also Hitec Laboratories Ltd are currently looking for a 1st Level Support Analyst, to be based at Hitec’s head office in Swansea. Hitec solutions span Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC). The 1st Level Support Analyst is responsible for providing first line support for Hitec’s Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) solution. The job specification is below, if you are interested please contact Janet Crame (Operations Director) via e-mail janet.crame@hiteclabs.com.
The work is conducted in a dynamic environment with support enquiries being made on a range of issues from product specific support to more general PC and network environment support. The role involves working closely with the Testing and Development teams in order to provide incident verification and progress more involved issues. There is also the requirement to work in collaboration with the Professional Services and Engineering teams within Hitec (Laboratories) Ltd. Initial product training will be given along with any other associated training that may be necessary from time to time. There is also a high reliance on self-training and knowledge gathering particularly for related background information.
Responsibilities include:
- Call Logging, Incident diagnosis, Incident verification, working with testing and development teams
- Incident prioritisation, Incident resolution, Managing incidents within customer SLAs
- Keeping customers updated with progress
- Schedule support with other team members
- Maintain knowledge base.
Technical Skills/Experience/Understanding Required:
- Familiarity with MS SQL Server support
- Windows Client Operating Systems
- Familiarity with Windows Server Operating Systems support
- Databases in general; MS SQL Server in particular
- Microsoft IIS set-up and configuration
- Windows security and user management.
Personal Skills:
- Excellent customer service skills
- Strong administration and call-logging, Incident ownership
- Able to take support calls and summarise the key issues.
- Ability to diagnose and prioritise issues
- Strong communication skills
- Enjoy learning about new products both from given training and self study.
- Have a technical education at HND level or equivalent.
- It would be an advantage to have experience in using a bug reporting and management system.
Hours of work: 9am – 5.30pm Monday – Friday, with 1 hour for lunch.
Holiday: 22 days per year increasing to 25 days after 3 years service, plus 8 UK Bank Holidays.
Probationary period: 3 months, followed by a formal review.
Other benefits:Company pension scheme and private medical cover available at end of probationary period. Life assurance & childcare vouchers also available.
For many more local Web Development jobs please click here: indeed IT System Support jobs, Monster IT System Support. For information about the School’s Computing Information Systems & Business Computing degrees please click the preceding links.
As a Junior Developer at Waters Creative Ltd you will be expected to deliver a consistently high standard of work. The role includes a medium level of technical input into creative and web based projects and demands an in-depth knowledge in PHP, MySQL, HTML, CSS and Javascript technologies. You will be required to deal directly with customers in a friendly, professional and efficient manner.
This is a highly important role in the company website development services where you will work closely with creative/website designers to ensure each project is delivered on time, is fit for purpose and meets our customer’s requirements. You will work closely with the Senior Developer and Project Manager, and take guidance from them on the day to day schedule of work.
Your contract will include a probationary period of 6 months with a review after the first month, we do this to make sure we have the best fit for the role – we find this works both ways. This initial review period is designed to give you opportunity to brush up on your PHP development skills, find your feet at Waters Creative and prove to us your commitment, we will provide on the job training and relevant reading resources to help you achieve this successfully.
Probationary-period Salary: £18-22k per annum (this will be reviewed after the 6 month probationary period)
Please submit your CV and covering letter to: info@waters-creative.co.uk.
A recent article by the BCS -The Chartered Institute for IT investigating Google Glass and Heads-Up Display (HUD) Technology states that “by 2020 there could be heads-up displays (HUDs) in over nine million cars. Brian Runciman MBCS looks at some of the impacts of HUDs and Google Glass.
Five years ago only 13 models of car produced in the USA had heads-up displays as standard or an option – that figure now stands at 38. Google Glass is seeping into business life: service technicians use them, they are being used in broadcasting, airlines are trialling them – they are even getting onto farms.
In car HUDs have increased in processing power to allow for more information to reside in a driver’s line of sight. Whilst this has until recently been in marquee cars, as costs come down they will be designed for small and mid-sized cars. By 2020, one forecast suggests, HUDs will be designed into 9.2 million cars, compared with 1.2 million in 2012.”
To read the full article please click-here.
What was your HE course? I completed the BSc degree in Web Development at the School of Applied Computing.
What is your job title and role?
My current job title is Online Manager. This means that I’m responsible for my companies online presence. This encompasses a multitude of different activities, but I mainly oversee our e-mail marketing activities, design and maintenance of the company website as well as all online advertising. I’m also required to manage several third-parties to ensure we achieve all of our Organic Search and PR goals.
Could you briefly describe the organization you work for?
I work for Cruise Nation. We’re a Cruise Tour Operator, meaning we put together our own cruise holiday packages to sell across the UK. In the last 2 years we’ve grown from 8 employees to 25, and won numerous awards in the industry.
Which skills learned at University are helpful to you in your job?
I use HTML, CSS and javascript/jQuery on a daily basis! I picked up these in University. I also use Photoshop and Illustrator on a regular basis. I think the main thing I picked up in university was an understanding on a breadth of different subjects, and a deeper knowledge.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy most? I love the challenge of working with a smaller team, and seeing the results that my input can generate. I enjoy the level of responsibility that my role involves. I’ve always been pretty addicted to all things web-related, so to be able to work within this industry every day is very really satisfying.
Do you have any advice for students who would like to start a Career? Studying a higher education course at University will give you the perfect base to start a career of your choice. I’d always recommend that you do as much work as possible in your own time, so you fully understand the lectures and classes that are given to you. During the Summer Holidays, be on the lookout for any work experience you can get, this will really help in you get your foot in the door after you graduate, and you’ll find you’ll learn so much more when you’re working day-to-day.
Richard Evans studied the MSc e-Commerce (Business pathway) at the School of Applied Computing UWTSD Swansea. He is now a Research Fellow @ the University of Greenwich, to learn more about Richard’s Career success please continuing reading below.
What was your HE course at the School of Applied Computing?
What is your job title and role?
Research Fellow in Knowledge Management for Collaborative Product Development at the University of Greenwich
My role within the University of Greenwich is to conduct research into the use of Web 2.0 technologies to improve employee collaboration and knowledge sharing during product development lifecycles in extended supply chains. I am currently working in collaboration with CESi University, Rouen, France as part of a European INTERREG research project.
My responsibilities include: liaising and maintaining links with industrial collaborators, organising bi-annual industrial workshops, identifying potential funding opportunities and assisting with grant applications. I review articles for the International Journal of Modelling, Identification and Control and the International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering and am currently a member of the Host Organising Committee for the International Conference on Computer Aided Design and Applications Conference, which is being held at the University of Greenwich in 2015. Finally, I teach and assess two MSc modules within the Faculty of Engineering and Science: Research Methodologies and e-Technologies. I am also a Visiting Lecturer at Cranfield University where I teach lectures to MSc students on the use of Web 2.0 Technologies in Business.
Could you briefly describe the organization you work for?
The University of Greenwich is a British University with over 27,000 students and offers HE courses, including undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. The university has three main campuses situated in the South East of England. I currently work in the Centre of Innovative Product Development and Manufacturing (CiPDM) which sits within the Faculty of Engineering and Science.
The CiPDM carries out strategic research and consultancy in the manufacturing sector in areas such as new product development; collaboration between Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers; digital and sustainable manufacturing; information and knowledge management; and product lifecycle management. The centre focuses on new enabling technologies and methods and processes for the design, manufacturing and servicing of high value complex engineering products and systems in the aerospace, automotive, power generation and general manufacturing sector. The centre employs six members of academic staff, including myself, and we currently have six full-time PhD students who work in collaboration with our industrial partners who include BAE Systems, Cummins Power Generation and Ford Motor Company.
A brief summary of your Career, how you got to where you are today?
After finishing my MSc degree in e-Commerce, I immediately got offered the role of Online Product Manager for Dunelm Mill Ltd, the UK’s largest home furnishings organisation. I stayed in the role for 8 months before seeking funded PhD programmes; this led me to the position at BAE Systems, which I started in October 2010. During my PhD, I worked for BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems division in Rochester, Kent. I also became a professional member of both the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the British Computer Society (BCS). I successfully defended my PhD in August 2013 and was then offered a full-time role at the University of Greenwich as a research fellow in knowledge management for collaborative product development.
Which skills learned at University are helpful to you in your job?
Good question! In my own experience, the knowledge I acquired in web programming has helped a lot during my PhD where I had to create a bespoke IT system. When working for Dunelm Mill, my knowledge of e-Commerce Law really helped – I think this is only available on the business route.
Do you have a typical day and how would you describe it?
A typical day can take one of two routes:
- During term time, I would teach two lectures per week, meet with MSc students for supervision meetings, assess coursework submissions and conduct research, including reading academic publications, writing articles for submission. I also typically present at two international conferences per year within the fields of manufacturing and information systems.
- During non-term time, I spend all day conducting research – reading through publications and formilising my own ideas for new projects and publications. I would also assist the Centre manager in research grant applications and management.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy most?
Two aspects stand out: liaising with industrial collaborators – seeing your research being transferred into a commercial setting gives you a real “buzz” and also attending conferences and networking events – not only do you get to travel the world, but you get to meet new people from other Universities who may turn into collaborators on future projects.
Do you have any advice for students who would like to start a Career in the IT industry?
- Do not underestimate your own knowledge and skills – you will find when you join a large organisation that you are more than capable with the knowledge which you have acquired at University.
- Become a member of a professional association e.g. British Computer Society (BCS). Attend their networking events and gain knowledge about the current needs and challenges in the IT industry.
- Gain greater knowledge of the current systems used within the IT industry e.g. in my role at Dunelm Mill, we used IBM WebSphere Commerce and Google Analytics for e-Commerce tasks. Having worked for BAE Systems, I found that Microsoft Sharepoint and Yammer is relied upon for employee collaboration whilst PTC WindChill and other PLM tools are used for manufacturing work.
Each year we publish some of the School’s latest activities including inspiring staff student and industry news. We hope you enjoy the publication : ) Please click the link below to view the School’s 2014 Newsletter:
If you would like to contribute please e-mail: james.williams@sm.uwtsd.ac.uk.
Some of our Graduating students at Swansea’s Grand Theatre Graduation Ceremony. Well done & Congratulations to you all! 🙂
Please click below for more photos 🙂
UWTSD Applied Computing Blog 
Written by jameswilliamstsd
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