As most of you know, I’ve been telecommuting the last few months, taking web design projects on a contract basis. Last week I mentioned that the projects have been drying up, and it may be time for me to get back into the world of full-time employment. Today it occurred to me that I ought to use the biggest networking tool/advantage I have – this blog – to job-hunt. So, if you don’t mind, please take a minute to read the description below, and if you know of anything that sounds right for me, please e-mail me at paul@paulryburn.com and let me know. Thanks, I appreciate it.
– For the past three years I’ve been developing websites in ASP.NET/VB.NET with a SQL Server backend (and Access for a few smaller projects). I’ve worked with Visual Studio and both SQL Server 2000 and 2005. I have written DTS packages for SQL Server in the past to run scheduled jobs and to import data from other sources.
– I have also done sites in PHP/MySQL on a consulting basis and for myself as affiliate marketing sites. Although I’ve worked primarily with ASP.NET professionally the past three years, PHP is more or less a similar concept, different syntax, and I’m sure I could handle professional PHP development quite nicely as well.
– At past jobs I’ve been praised for outstanding communication with non-technical clients, and for good documentation. Part of this is because I taught at the U of M for five years (computer literacy and math) and got used to talking to people who don’t have an expert level of understanding.
– I tend to think I write well. Other people apparently do too, as this blog won the Memphis Flyer’s Best Blog award for 2007.
– In the early part of the decade I took an inventor’s idea and programmed it as a stand-alone application using Visual Basic 6. Took it from a prototype idea in Excel to a complete software program, including documentation via Help files and training manuals, and creating a custom installer.
– I know enough graphic design to get by and make a website attractive, but it’s not my strongest point. So if a position has graphic design as its #1 duty, I’m probably not a good fit for that one.
– Although I’m wild and crazy and speak my mind freely when I’m writing this blog, at work I’m a complete professional, and always keep in mind that when I’m there I’m representing the company I work/contract for. Actually, I consider the “blogger” side of me an advantage, as it shows that I’m more well-rounded than the typical programmer/computer guy.
– If education matters, I have a Master of Science in Computer Science (actually Mathematical Sciences, but all 34 hours were in Computer Science courses) from the University of Memphis, and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science/Mathematics from Rhodes.
So there you have it. You can check my resume for more details on my work history. I’m open to anything – permanent, long-term contracts, or short-term projects that you may have. I’ve been primarily looking for ASP.NET or PHP web development work, but if you know of other opportunities where my creative talent would be a good fit, I’d be happy to consider those as well. Again, thanks.