John Fletcher

John Fletcher - Professional profile

Qualifications:

OCR NVQ Using Information Technology (Level 1)

Pitman Qualification Desktop Publishing (Level 2)

RSA Integrated Business Technology (Level 2)

NCFE Intermeditae Web Design (Level 2)

RSA Integrated Business Technology (Level 3)

ECDL Word Processing (Advanced)

OCR Clait Plus Web Page Creation (Level 2)

OCR Clait Plus Desktop Publishing (Level 2)

CompTia Network Plus Computer Support Technician Award (Level 3)

7407 in Further Education Teaching

7407 in Further Education Teaching

Access to Computing (Level 3)

Experience:

Computer Engineer - Friend Computers LTD: November 2001 - July 2003

I.T. Support Analyst - Centrax Turbine Components LTD: October 2009 - June 2009

Reflective document and Sofia Framework Evaluation:

Swot Analysis

Strengths

• Skills enhancement through learning at Plymouth University
• Previous experience within a computer role
• Dedication

Weaknesses

• Mathematics
• Time management

Threats

• Health issues affecting concentration and tiredness
• Busy Schedule - Work and University

Opportunities

• Degree
• Ethical Hacking Certificate
• Placement
• Secure job through placement

Motivation and Choices

I am very interested in a wide range of computing studies, and in particular Computer Security to which I am presently studying at degree level.  I wish to undertake an additional qualification which specializes in hacking procedures such as the Certified Ethical Hacking qualification to which may be available through Plymouth University at a later date and is being sort by the programme leader for Computer Systems & information Security.  This qualification in conjunction with my degree would enable me to seek employment as a Penetration Tester or Security Analyst.

I am motivated to succeed through my ambition to work and secure a career in this industry.  I will be seeking to secure a placement at the end of year 2 so that I can gain valuable experience with a company and possibly secure a job with either the same company that I undertook my placement with or with an alternative company.

Behaviours and Working Practices

Should a task be of an essay or report I tend to read first any materials relevant to the task until I understand the points required to complete the task, and then revise through reading books, journals and Internet articles to gain an understanding of the subject, and then I write down relevant points to research further.  I then write out a basic draft and structure using the tradition method of using paper and pen which I find helps absorb the material and or subject into my memory.  I then type out the report or essay using a word processing  programme, perfect mistakes as i type, reading the material and then correcting mistakes and structural issues.  I then type out my report and again check for errors and then correct them, and reprint if necessary.

Should the task be of a practical nature (hands-on), then i find that continual practice or study is the best policy for me to succeed.

I try not to leave work until the last minute, preferring to allow plenty of time for feedback and to correct the work as necessary.

I feel that my strategy for studying is sufficient for success but would be open to new or alternative strategies should they be offered or suggested to me by others.

Current Learning

Currently, the year 2013 term 1 has been largely successful and I am reaching my goals.  I have successfully passed the first two assignments within the ISAD 139 module consisting of group presentations, and I have found the module very interesting and informative, and have learned a lot through watching other presentations from other completely independent groups and subjects.

In the 2012/ 13 academic year, I struggled to understand the Maths module and its materials, due to the subject being my weakest subject.  This has been a major factor in blocking my future success.  This year in term 1 of the 2013/14 academic year, I have undertook my first attempt at passing the maths exam and feel that through constant study and help form my peers, I may have passed the exam.

I have decided that this academic year 2013/14, I should review the programming module SOFT 130 materials to which I previously studied and successfully passed in the academic year 2012 - 13.  The reason for this is because I feel that although I passed the module, I wasn't sure about certain aspects of the materials taught and feel that by resolving these issues and practicing the materials again, I will become a stronger programmer to which I will be ready to resume in year 2.

Future Development:

Ethical Awareness:  To improve my ethical awareness I will continue to broaden my knowledge of the subject through the use of academic journals and other such literature, and practice what I have learned.

Specialization: My current specialization is aimed at primarily Computer Security, but the Computer Systems and Information Security degree consists of a vast range of related computing disciplines and skills such as Database Design and Administration and Networking that will broaden my knowledge and scope and increase my chances of possessing the correct skills to which an employer requires. 

Team Working:  I have a vast amount of proven team working skills having used these skills in my present job as a Ranger at Woodlands Leisure Park, and having used them in the past working as a PC Engineer and IT Support Analyst.  I will be improving these skills further while studying at University while working on group based assignments.

Customer Service:  I feel that I have excellent customer service skills through my present job as a ranger at a leisure park.  My job is largely customer service based, and will be an important attribute to have in any future employment. 

Employability:  As mentioned in the above section on team working I will be improving these skills further while studying at University and in a future work placement, and through my present job as a ranger, a position that I have held for the past 2 years. 

Self-Management:  I feel that I now have the skills to manage my own schedule and or workload,  previously offered by Disability Assist.  I previously accepted one to one tuition in maths, which really benefited me, but I now feel this is un-necessary as I am due to complete the module this term, and now feel that I work better with my peers.

SFIA Framework Evaluation

Autonomy

I believe that I am at a level three because although i can assist in work routines at level 2, I believe I can further apply my skills under general direction.  I can often resolve issues myself and know when to ask for help, which can then result in a task being completed. I would like to get to a level 3 by continuing to complete my degree and increase my performance and knowledge further.

Influence

I believe that I am at a level 2 because when I worked on the ISAD131 project the group members listened to my input and altered the database accordingly if thought a practical reason.  While working at friend computers I was constantly interacting with both colleagues and customers to resolve issues relating to the job.

Complexity

I believe that I am at a level 2 because in my two previous jobs, I performed a range of activities in structured environments such as PC repair, fixing hardware and software issues and queries of a technical nature and contributed to regular routine problem resolutions.

Business Skills

I believe that I am at a level two because I understand and can use a number of hardware and software tools and programmes.  I have used these skills both in my previous jobs and as part of my degree.  I can create a UML to form a business plan and I can use these tools in the security modules and I can use certain network tools and programmes.  I can use different tools and programmes to suit the work being carried out.  I am aware of health and safety issues having completed a course at Torbay Hospital, in a previous job,  I can work in an organised way and this can be proved through my previous jobs where I had to plan, and carry out work in an ordered way such as when building a computer for a client.

Security Administration

I believe I am at a level three because I have worked in a previous job implementing access rights and privileges and password administration using Microsoft Active directory and other software programmes.  I will continue to improve within the area of security administration by completing Nathan Clarke’s security modules.

System Software

I believe that I am at a level 4 because I can install software, operating systems and drivers at a very proficient level having previously worked as a PC Engineer for two years, and having obtained three previous PC Engineering qualifications at South Devon College

Database Administration

I believe I am at a level 2, and moving towards a level 3 because I have completed a whole year as part of my degree designing and creating databases within my degree.  I have designed and created databases as part of the Access to Computing course undertaken at South Devon College, and included maintenance, security and administration.

Application Support

I believe that I am at least a level 2 because it was a big part of my two previous jobs.  At Centrax Ltd, one of my duties were to resolve desktop issues within the very large offices, troubleshooting and resolving desktop issues for both operating systems, Microsoft office, and in-house programmes. 

Network Support

Although SOFIA does not include a level 2 description for Network Support I believe that I am at least a level 2 because I have worked with basic networking procedures in two previous jobs and have undertook the Network + qualification and completed the network monitoring module in 2012 at Plymouth University as part of my ongoing degree.