Lead Software Engineer with 15 yrs of professional experience. I teach all aspects of Software Engineering. 1st class BSc in Computer Science and an MSc in Advanced Computing Science with distinction

Find out more about Michael

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  When it came to applying to universities to study my first degree, I really wasn't sure what to pick. I just knew I had always been drawn to computers. So although I didn't at the time have any prior coding experience, I took the plunge and signed up for a Computer Science BSc degree. Thankfully, I really enjoyed coding and ultimately problem solving, so it turned out to be a great choice.
  As I advanced in my eventual software engineering career, I found I really enjoyed mentoring junior software engineers. I also received a lot of positive feedback about my teaching skills. As my knowledge and experience grew, private tutoring felt like a very natural way for me to have the opportunity to impart what I have learned on others. It's immensely satisfying and gratifying.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach everything from object oriented programming fundamentals, data structures and algorithms, relational databases to more advanced concepts like software architecture. I often help university students better understand their assignments, help with job applications and interview practice, or help junior software engineers to advance towards mid-level and senior engineering levels. Sometimes, I assist those who are working on side projects. There are many lessons to learn in all of these areas.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  There is a book that certainly inspired me - Clean Code by Rob C Martin. It wasn't until I had already been a software engineer for a number of years that I came across this book, but it really opened my eyes to the wisdom available from those more experienced than myself. That became the first of many books that really helped me to mature as a software engineer.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A desire to help people. Patience. Empathy. Self-awareness. The ability to explain complex concepts in ways that are easy to understand. The ability to create a safe space where a student feels free to speak their mind and share their feelings.

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

  In my first year at university, I gained my first exposure to programming through Java. It was completely new to me, and I remember finding the Java syntax so foreign, for example, what on earth does public static void main(String[] args) mean?? The lab exercises we were given felt like being thrown in at the deep end, and I remember thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?"
  
  Thankfully, I wasn't the only one feeling this way - many of my course mates felt the same. So we did what any good engineering team does: we collaborated. We pooled our understanding, asked each other questions, and gradually began to make sense of things together. It was through this experience that I learned, very early on, the importance of teamwork, and as a professional software engineer it's no less important today.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Imposter syndrome is something I have faced in the past - after changing jobs, moving from a small company to a larger company with more experienced colleagues - I found that there was a lot that I did not know that my colleagues were already experienced in. I found this quite uncomfortable, and this discomfort, along with support from those I worked with, really spurred me on to learn as much as possible. I've since learnt that you never really finish learning. There will always be so much that you don't know. What becomes more important is the ability to learn new skills as and when you need to, rather than knowing it all upfront.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  The part of software engineering I love to teach the most is about writing clean, maintainable, well-tested code that oozes wisdom and delights. I love to help students learn more advanced concepts like hexagonal architecture.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I believe those same qualities I mentioned that I think make a good tutor are qualities that I possess. I've received a lot of positive feedback testifying to my supreme ability to explain tricky ideas. Ultimately, it's something I really enjoy and get a lot of satisfaction from. I really look forward to each lesson and I always find that the time flies by.