• Employed as IT professional since 1996
• First Class BA Honours degree in Modern Languages
• Fluent German and French;  three years studying Russian
• 2 years' study / work experience abroad
• Professionally qualified as teacher
• Experience as a freelance translator
• Full HGV Class 1 and 2, car, and motorcycle driving licence

In depth details of language skills

• Employed as IT professional since 1996
• Website Development (DHTML) and Web Application Development (ColdFusion)
• Help file creation and maintenance
• Software localisation and internationalisation
• Database design, maintenance and usage (Interbase, Microsoft SQL Server, DB2)
• Rich Media presentation creation (Macromedia Flash, Opus)
• Desktop Publishing and graphics (Quark Xpress, Adobe Photoshop)
• Programming (web applications - CFML, PHP, Javascript; COBOL, and BASIC)
• Microsoft Windows NT networking
• Highly IT literate

In depth details of IT skills

Currently working primarily as Web Application Developer at Licom Systems Ltd, Coventry.  Responsibilities include website design and creation; web application development, accomplished using ColdFusion server-side scripting and SQL Server database.

1994 - 1995

University of Hull
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Modern Languages)
Course included two teaching practice placements.

1990 - 1994

Coventry University
BA Hons in Modern Languages (First Class)
Course consisted of German and French as main languages, with options in Russian and Technical Translation.
My third year was spent studying politics in Potsdam, Germany and in Grenoble, France.  During the course of this year I prepared in-depth projects on the democratisation of the East German police and on the environmental impact of the skiing industry in France.

1984 - 1989

Oakbank School, Oakworth, Keighley
4 'A' Levels: German (B), French (C), Computer Science (E), General Studies (E)
6 'O' Levels (including Mathematics and English), 1 A/O Grade and 3 CSEs

DATES

POSITION

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Jan 1999 - Present

Language Support Manager / Web Application Developer
Licom Systems Ltd
Coventry

Responsible for software localisation (translation) of the company’s software, help files and documentation; website design and web application development; brochure design and creation.

Jul 1997 – Jan 1999

IT Specialist
IBM
Warwick

Involvement in various IT projects as a member of the IBM Global Services Unit.  Particular projects included mainframe software development and networking services (web farm administration).

Feb 1996 - Mar 1997

Technical Coordinator
Comtec Translations
Leamington Spa

IT development and promotion in translation agency, consultancy, liaison with clients and suppliers, troubleshooting and maintenance.  Authoring of ISO9002 quality procedures and exploitation of computer assisted translation.

Jul 1995 - Feb 1996

Translations Coordinator
Comtec Translations
Leamington Spa

Translation checking, proof-reading and reformatting, project management.

Sep 1994 - Jun 1995

Modern Languages Teacher
Waltham Toll Bar School and Whitgift School
Grimsby

Teaching practice during PGCE year.

Teaching German and French to 11-18 year olds in individual, group and classwork exercises; pastoral care.

Jun 1994 - Dec 1994

Cashier
Abbey National PLC
Grimsby

Working face to face with customers, overseeing various transactions, including cash and cheque deposits and withdrawals.

Jun 1992 - Aug 1992

Night Porter
Sunstar Hotel Surselva
Flims, Switzerland

Reception desk and administration work during the night, welcoming guests, enquiries, security and light cleaning.

Jul 1991 - Jul 1991

Press Operator
Rigby Metal Components Ltd
Cleckheaton

Temporary work: machine operation, producing components predominantly for drills; quality control.

Jun 1990 - Sep 1990

Night Porter
Robinson Club Schweizerhof
Vulpera, Switzerland

Reception desk and administration work during the night, welcoming guests, enquiries, security and light cleaning.

Dec 1989 - Apr 1990

Chasseur
Kongress Hotel
Davos, Switzerland

Reception desk and administration work during the day, menu and bulletin translation, dealing with enquiries, driving, snow clearing.

Music

I have played drums in original and cover bands since 1981, notably with Coventry based BAiT between 1996 and 2007.  I also play classical guitar, mandolin and piano and am working on a solo album.  I have a great interest in quality music performed by real musicians.

Skiing

I have had marvelous opportunities to pursue this interest, through school trips and during my time working and studying abroad and continue to ski on an occasional basis.

Computers

I have been involved with computers since 1981.  I have taught myself various computer languages and scripts, including BASIC, HTML, ColdFusion, and javascript, have written several complex programs and dynamic websites,, and am familiar with many types of software, including word processors, spreadsheets and databases.  My career has seen me fully responsible for IT implementation and maintenance at a translation agency.

Languages

As well as being the subject of my studies at university, I thoroughly enjoy learning languages and hope to expand on my knowledge of them in the future.

Politics and History

Studying German and French history and politics has helped me to develop an objective interest in British, European and world politics.

Motorcycling and Driving

I enjoy motorcycling and driving and hold a clean licence.

Professional and personal references available on request