Hi, I'm Alex Stocking

A junior software engineer with a background in education.

About Me

As a former teacher, I have a real passion for helping, working with and inspiring others with my personable and relaxed demeanour. Thriving in environments founded on mutual trust, I excel in team dynamics, readily assuming leadership roles when needed. Deciding to change career, I enrolled in the General Assembly software engineer immersive bootcamp to learn and develop new skills that will aid in guiding this career change. Transitioning into software engineering, I'm eager to apply my teaching-honed skills. My time at GA marked a new exciting career direction. I am currently seeking opportunities to enhance my skills; I aspire to move into a full-stack role, leveraging strengths cultivated throughout my entire professional journey. I am available for positions now, having completed my course at General Assembly in March 2024.

Skills

Frontend

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
  • React
  • Vue.js
  • Bootstrap

Backend

  • Node.js
  • MongoDB
  • Express
  • Python
  • Django
  • PostgreSQL

Version Control

  • Git
  • GitHub

Soft Skills

  • Teamwork
  • Problem Solving
  • Simplifying the Complex
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Extensive Planning
  • Public Speaking

Projects

Here are the four projects I worked on whilst completling my General Assembly bootcamp.


Project 1: Frogger

A Browser Game using HTML, CSS and JavaScript

For my first project, I was tasked with building a browser game using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. I decided to create the classic game Frogger. It has 3 board sizes with each having levels getting incrementally harder to complete. I decided to go with a retro theme, using an arcade-like font, and 8-bit music and sounds for my audio. It was an excellent first step into programming and I learnt a lot, particularly about refactoring my code to make it more readable and reusable.

GitHub  Game
Frogger Game

Custom Pokedex

Project 2: Custom Pokédex

A full stack MEVN application

I developed a MEVN infrastructure website as part of my second project. This project entailed creating a platform that allowed for seamless CRUD operations by users. I took the initiative to design and implement a custom Pokedex application within this framework, enabling users to both edit existing Pokemon entries and generate new ones. Throughout this endeavour, I delved into the intricacies of Google authentication, broadening my skill set and enhancing my understanding of user authentication mechanisms in web development.

GitHub Frontend  GitHub Backend  Custom Pokédex Application

Project 3: Cosmic Collectibles

A full stack MERN application

I worked within a team of three to develop a dynamic MERN infrastructure website for our third project. As part of this collaboration we conceived and realised Cosmic Collectibles, an ecommerce platform offering fictional space products for purchase. My primary responsibilities encompassed the development of backend endpoints and overseeing the implementation of intricate features within the frontend, notably the shopping cart functionality and user authentication mechanisms.

GitHub Frontend  GitHub Backend  Cosmic Collectibles Application
Cosmic Collectibles

Sage and Whistle

Project 4: Sage and Whistle

A full stack React/Django application

For my final project, I had to connect a REACT frontend with a Django backend, creating a seamless application. Drawing inspiration from my wife's craft business, Sage and Whistle, I developed an ecommerce platform tailored to her needs, enabling the smooth sale of products alongside a feature for users to submit custom requests and create their own wish lists. This project not only showcased my adaptability and problem-solving skills but also underscored my commitment to delivering innovative solutions that marry technical excellence with real-world utility.

GitHub Frontend  GitHub Backend  Sage and Whistle Application

My Interests

I have a passion for gaming, enjoying games from most genres. I get a lot of enjoyment out of a well told single player experience. I particularly like online gaming, such as World of Warcraft and many ARPGs, having built a community of players that play together weekly. I am a fan of Leeds United and follow football, mostly the Championship, but hopefully the Premier League next season. I also have a passion for history, particularly of the classical variety. Inspired from playing games based on ancient civilisations to studying it at university, I have always been interested in learning about the people and places of the ancient world, especially Greeks and Romans.