Hey I'm Matt
About Me
Born in the 90s growing up with early IBM and Windows 95 computers and witnessing the rate of change and improvement in technology has been fascinating and a pleasure to grow and evolve my knowledge and skills alongside it.
I have accumulated a wide wealth of knowledge and skills in different areas of technology, from physically installing data and power cable systems to digitally designing, writing the code, and programming the systems that run within them.
The majority of my skills are self-taught, I specialize in web design and developing websites with WordPress as a freelancer.
I’m currently working towards improving on the current HTML, CSS, and Javascript that I have learned as well as C++ and Python to develop a better understanding of backend processes and the development of software and apps.
My Work Background And Experience
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Five Years Working In Web Development and Freelancing As A Web designer - 2023
Self Studied Web Development with WordPress, I threw myself in the deep end with a goal of developing a social network similar to Facebook this pushed me to learn different programming languages and how to integrate different lines of code together to serve different functions and ultimately reach the outcome I was looking for.
I have since designed multiple different websites for myself and customers from small business websites to helping business owners in the ecommerce space optimize their website and product pages to sell more and increase their revenue.
This specific role has ignited my engineering and problem solving passion and motivated me to learn programming languages more in depth in the hopes that I can become a full stack developer, it’s also inspired me to start new projects in robotics and AI which I’m really enjoying learning about.
Five Years Working as an Alarm and CCTV Technician
I worked for my father’s business ElectroGuard Security wiring up and installing alarm systems and CCTV for residential and commercial properties around the Wellington region. This could be a simple 4 sensor or 4 camera system for a homeowner to a 9 sensor 14 camera system for a commercial business with network switches and cashier cameras and specific programming to meet the business’s needs.
This role reinforced my love for electronics and engineering and the power in programming devices to serve a function that ultimately benefits the customer and community.
Studied Electrical Engineering level 3 & 4, Worked As An Electricians assistant.
Studied electrical theory around residential, commercial, and industrial electrical power systems and attended practical workshops.
Learned about the relationships between current, voltage, resistance, capacitance, and the rules and laws of electricity and how to wire different circuits, switchboards, lighting, sockets, switches, and 3-phase appliances.
Worked on commercial and residential construction sites wiring and terminating power and data, from installing hundreds of Data cables for Newshub offices to installing and wiring in a new heat pump circuit for the old lady down the road.
This role reinforced my love for engineering and building systems but also taught me that I crave more of the technical and complex data programming side of electronics and the challenges that come with that.
Customer Service And Community Services
Ten Years Working In The Community Disability Health Sector
My second Passion in life is people, I started out in community disability when I was 18, working as a disability support worker not knowing what I had gotten myself into, and as the years went on I started to see the positive impact you can make through active listening, advocating, nurturing learning and development and how on a bigger scale that can empower people to become better versions of themselves.
I absorbed knowledge from multiple health professionals, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and psychologists that enabled me to provide better care for the individuals I was supporting and nurture positive developmental steps to become more independent and manage their individual diagnoses.
I then was promoted to a team leader role where I was in charge and responsible for a team of 15-20 staff and a caseload of around 30 clients with disability. This really empowered me to step up and take on multiple responsibilities such as staff, client, and vehicle rosters managing budgets and venues, and ultimately powering a community service and coordinating it to be the best it can be and meet the needs of the service users and community.
This role helped me to develop my skills as a leader and a manager and taught me the amazing power of how to inspire and motivate a team to reach a common goal and create a positive impact through their actions and efforts. This was a great experience but after doing it for a while it came time to hand it over to someone new and pursue my other passion which is technology.
Why I Do, What I Do
I have always found great enjoyment and fulfillment in helping others It’s something I have always found purpose and meaning in, for most of my life.
When I combine this with my knowledge, experience, and skills in technology, and at the same time, create positive solutions and outcomes for customers, that’s when It’s more than just a job but a career and a labor of love.
In My Spare Time
When im not studying or working i enjoy programming and playing around with new tech in robotics and in virtual and mixed reality and gaming but i also find it important to escape the digital world as well.
Thats when i get out into nature I love going camping and going for bushwalks getting out on or in the sea diving for paua, kina, and crayfish, boating, archery and hunting and of course, spending that time with family and friends.