Ashleigh Bair

I got into software development as a result of a tech-heavy upbringing and an interest in modding video games. My experience lies in mainly web development (HTML, Javascript, JQuery and PHP) and Modding (Javascript, PHP, Python - and in some cases, hybrid languages specific to the game).

I came across Firebrand online while I was researching IT based apprenticeships. I chose Firebrand because the program looked interesting and they offered a wide range of training courses - As I hadn't yet found a specific area of IT to specialise in, the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills interested me the most.

I didn't choose the training courses I went/will go on, my boss chose them, as he knew which skills will best benefit me and my role in the company. Although I could ask to change training courses, I was happy with the selection my boss chose.

For the courses I have been on, I was very surprised by the amount I learned/information I absorbed - especially in what seemed like such a small amount of time. The courses themselves were focused on C#. Through a combination of an excellent teacher, labs to practice with and great coursebooks/materials, I learned enough to become a confident C# coder, despite not having any previous experience in the language.

Overall, I chose the apprenticeship route because I wanted to gain practical experience as well as the knowledge of different coding languages - especially since I found that in most IT based jobs, they have an experience requirement (usually 1-3 years for junior/entry level jobs - which can be difficult to gain outside of an IT based job). Also, I prefer to work and learn at the same time, as opposed to spending a few years doing labs and theory in a school/university. My aspirations for the future are to either continue as a Software Developer (which is a job I really enjoy) or to become a programmer for a video games company (which directly relates to my hobby of modding video games).

Learning factors majorly into both aspirations, which would make sense. I have found that, in regards to coding/IT in general, you have to be willing to keep learning as it is a sector that is continually changing. Which means that you will find yourself having to keep researching different things (such as errors, exceptions, coding language references etc), and as such, I understand that no matter what area of IT the choose to follow, learning will always be a big part of it.