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Hi, I'm Vernon

🌱 I'm a full-stack developer with a skills in Python, SQL, and some JavaScript. In my free time, I love playing with lower level code, especially with C and even a little assembly.

My journey in tech is enriched by my diverse experiences, from building scalable web applications to mentoring budding developers and guiding teams in the vast Namibian desert. I made a Youtube video about my journey if that's of interest here.

Languages & Tools: Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, Django, Flask, Git, GitHub, Docker, Docker-compose, basic C and I've used PHP a little.

📚 My passion for mentorship and education runs deep. From assisting in building schools in northern Kenya during my youth to teaching Python to kids and professionals alike, I've always been drawn to sharing knowledge. I've had the privilege of mentoring over 100 individuals, and the joy of seeing them grow is unparalleled.

🌌 Beyond the code, I'm deeply invested in nature conservation, cycling, birding, astronomy, and languages. Currently, I'm diving into Spanish, guided by the Refold methodology and my dedicated teacher Eliana from Italki. If you're interested in my Spanish journey, please have a look at this video on Youtube of my 1000 hours progres using the Dreaming Spanish platform.

🌵 My transition to tech, though unconventional, is a testament to my adaptability and drive. Starting as a hobby programmer with BASIC in the 80s, I later led guiding teams and trained guides in Namibia, particularly at AndBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. The pandemic prompted a pivot, and I embraced the tech world with open arms.

🇬🇧 Post relocating to the UK in 2020, I embarked on my professional tech journey with Octophindigital, followed by roles at Filespin, InTouch Games and Brand Nudge. My work at Brand Nudge currently involves doing web scraping using Python, AWS, and SQL. While I've honed my skills at these places, I'm eager to align my career with my core values.

If you're passionate about tech-for-good or looking for a mentor in the tech space, I'd love to connect and collaborate!

Stuff I'm into:

🔧 Technical Interests:

Languages & Frameworks: Proficient in Python, Django, Flask, and C. In my free time, my current hobby is working on a c compiler. Operating Systems: A Linux enthusiast with experience in Ubuntu, Arch Linux, and Linux From Scratch. Also familiar with macOS, which I mainly work on. Community Involvement: Founding board member of the Python Namibia Society. Passionate about teaching Python to beginners.

🌍 Non-Coding Interests:

Ecology: Studied nature conservation with a special interest in desert ecology. Birding: Active in bird counts, birding tours, and general birdwatching. Fitness & Health: Enjoys walking, cycling, and maintaining a healthy diet. Current Affairs: Keen on understanding global events and their backgrounds. Actively involved in making positive changes. Personal Growth: Passionate about teaching, coaching, leading, and public speaking. Youtube: I have a Youtube channel where I share anything about my interests.

My Github repositories:

My journey on GitHub began not as a showcase for potential employers but as a testament to my passion for coding and learning. Each repository tells a story:

Some repositories were born out of my curiosity and the joy of learning a new skill. Others served as collaborative platforms when tutoring young enthusiasts. There were times when my role as a tour guide took precedence, leading to breaks in coding. Yet, each hiatus was followed by a renewed zeal to code, resulting in diverse projects. A particular repository that holds a special place in my heart is a sudoku solver I crafted during my son's hospital stay. While the code might not be polished, the memories and emotions attached to it are invaluable.

To Recruiters and Potential Employers: While I cherish every repository as a milestone in my coding journey, I recommend focusing on my most recent projects for a professional evaluation. These represent my current skills and standards. The older ones? They're a testament to my passion, perseverance, and the joy I find in coding. I've avoided the advice of removing old buggy code as this code is meaningful to me.

🌟 Hire me:

Currently I'm not looking for a job, but if you're interested, these are the things that would get my interest:

  • The company you are hiring for have clearly stated values and take them seriously. I may not even fully agree to all of them, but I love to work for people who are serious about doing good in the world.
  • There's a chance to do lower level coding. My skills in this area are still rather basic, but it's something I'm growing.
  • You're working on nature conservation, directly or indirectly.
  • Money is something that will attract me, and to move because of money, right now, I'd only consider a move like that for over £60k. Money is not my highest priority, and the job would need to meet some of my other desires.

Where you can find me:

🏡 website (I'm currently building it as I get time) | LinkedIn

Vernon Swanepoel's Projects

braincalc icon braincalc

A bit of a brain game written for the Linux console

gitignore icon gitignore

A collection of useful .gitignore templates

hood icon hood

A re-implementation of the tree command

mem-game icon mem-game

A Linux console memory game for sharpening the brain

pybrain icon pybrain

Simple math problems to wake up your brain

pyconil2016 icon pyconil2016

How to Study Evolution Using Scientific Python - PyCon Israel 2016

pynam-website icon pynam-website

The main repo for the Python Programming Society in Namibia, pynam

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