Today, easy fixes and shortcuts are everywhere. But there is still value in figuring out problems ourselves… right?  

In this edition of Source Code, developer Stuart explains he discovered early on the value of learning through problem-solving.

“You’re always going to have issues, but my view is to try your best to fix it yourself before you run around asking for help”, he explains. “You don’t learn otherwise”.

Which is why many in Cranmore turn to Stuart’s expertise in the Agility365 platform, as well as TypeScript languages like React and Node.

“I don’t like C#”, he says. “It’s too rigid. Typescript is more fluid, and I like that”.

Fluidity can also be found in Stuart’s career path, itself offering learnings along the way.

“I wasn’t meant to be here”, he says. “I had a placement lined up with a different company but, just a few weeks before it was due to begin, I discovered they were going under.”

A recommendation from then friend and now colleague, Cameron, led him to pursuing a placement at Cranmore. He then returned fulltime in May 2021 after completing his computer science degree at Queen’s.

“Cammy told me Cranmore was full of really social, nice people, but it was the freedom of the role that really attracted me”, he says.

“I have friends at bigger companies who face a lot of restrictions on what they can do. At Cranmore, you get full oversight; you’re accessing the full stack.”

His career in IT was against a tide, which had been flowing toward a life in sport.

“I had wanted to do physiotherapy at Loughborough, but decided to pursue my interest in IT instead,” he says. Yet, despite his decision, sport remains a big part of his life, playing for a local football team when he’s not out running or between the wickets.  

And now he is looking for a chance to combine both sport and programming.

“I’d love to work on a sport related app or project,” he says.

If you have one on your mind, Stuart is probably the guy.  

His experiences, however, have resulted in advice for those starting their programming journey: “Look into TypeScript as it can open so many doors for you. It’s a really good base to build your skills upon.”

And keeping those doors open, maintaining the flow, and learning along the way, is something that has stood by him.

“When I first started at Cranmore, Stephen said to me, ‘Don’t turn your back on anything. Always be open to new tech and to change. Always try to improve and adapt and turn challenges into advantages.’

“That’s something which will always stay with me”.