Drew & Rose team spotlight – Alex

Hi, I’m Alex, the Senior Developer at Drew + Rose. I code, build websites and help deliver everything web based at Drew+Rose.

What’s been your journey of getting to where you are now?

I studied Computer Science at University which gave me an exposure to all the varied disciplines in the tech world. I tried everything from database building, cyber security, app coding and even motion capture. It wasn’t until I left university that I managed to get a job building WordPress sites, despite the fact I barely knew the HTML basics or could even tell you what WordPress was. That job set me on my web development path. Since then, I have worked in design agencies and in-house teams before landing at Drew London, and becoming the Senior Developer at Drew + Rose

Tell us about an exciting project you’ve worked on. What did you love about it, and what were the outcomes?

Brixton Bid is an organisation representing businesses in Brixton and its job is to lobby for the area and promote it as a wonderful place to visit and have fun in London. Anyone who has ever been to Brixton knows that it is one of the most distinct and vibrant areas in the whole city. It was a challenge to bottle that feeling into a website and make it simple to use, while highlighting the vast wealth of information Brixton Bid has.

I loved this project as we delivered a website that just screams Brixton and stands far above any other Bid, not just in London but the whole of the UK.

What is the most magical thing about working at Drew + Rose?

We are a team with a real breath of knowledge and who loves to share that knowledge. We are always looking for the best solution to every problem that is thrown our way. We never just give up and say that something is too difficult.

What advice would give to someone looking to get into development?

The best advice I can give to someone looking to get into development would be that you don’t need a Computer Science degree, or to have years of experience, to get into the industry. The best pathway is to find a short (3 –6 month) course where you will learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Those languages are the basis for everything on the web and the best entry into the development world. The barrier of entry into the industry is much lower than you might think and anyone can do it. General Assembly is a great place to start.

Also, there is barely any maths, and it is not just streams of 1s and 0s like The Matrix! Don’t let the outdated stereotypes put you off.

Share a moment you’ll never forget

Watching the Grand Carnival Samba parade in Rio. I went there thinking it would be a parade like any other, but I could not have been more wrong. Words really do not do it justice, but try and imagine parade floats 6 stories tall, hundreds of dancers and thousands of people singing and cheering on their favourite Samba school. Everyone should go to Brazil just to experience this incredible event; it really is one of the most magical things I have ever seen.

Tell us about a connection that’s stuck with you

Getting to work with a team of developers and helping to teach and guide the more junior members is a real highlight of my job. Being able to give people the tools, watch them solve things on their own, and progress into great developers is really rewarding.

When you’re not at work, what do you get up to?

I love to read in my off time which is more of an excuse to buy lots of books and spend too much time in bookstores. I have also been trying to learn how to draw to develop skills which do not involve looking at a screen. I don’t think I’ll ever be particularly good but it can be very relaxing, and no one needs to see the drawings anyway!