TL;DR
Me: August
Profession: IT Admin -> Software Engineer
Location: Chico, California -> Dublin, Ireland
Programming Languages: C#, Python, C/++, JS, PHP (roughly in that order of proficiency)
Admin Work: Basically all the things
Hobbies: Martial Arts, Media, Music, Motorcycles, and More
Hello! My name is August Connolly. After a bit over a decade-long career as an IT administrator wearing all the hats (Linux, Windows, Mac, Hardware, Software, Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, Azure, AWS, Firebase, SAP, MS Project, Unity, Unreal, Web Development, Automation Scripting, and somehow more…), I’m looking to transition my career towards software development.
My undergraduate program was in Applied Computer Graphics (which has been renamed to the far more descriptive Computer Animation and Game Design), and was where I first started developing games. I initially started in GameMaker and Javascript, picked up XNA and C#, worked in UnrealScript with UDK, and then converted to Unity with C#, where I’ve tried to stay ever since. (Though I did do my data structures and algorithms courses in C++, and most of the work in my Computer Science Master’s program was in Python, because ML/AI is all anyone can seem to talk about anymore). So when I’m not working on personal game projects, or exploring AR/VR technologies, I’m mostly spending my time applying for jobs or working on my other hobbies.
After working through the pandemic (in the office, alone, as essential personnel), I decided it was time for a change, which is why I left my incredible (and very comfortable) job to move abroad to Ireland and go back to school. (I also needed to go somewhere that my seasonal allergies weren’t as crippling, and preferably wasn’t perpetually on fire. Dublin checks both boxes… so far). I’ve recently finished my Master’s Program (First Class Honours I might add), so now I’m just searching for work that will let me stay here (though my Visa should sustain me for the next 2 years regardless). That about sums it up for me.
For some other interesting things about me outside of my career, I practice Okinawan Karate (Godan / 5th Degree) and Kobudo (Yondan / 4th Degree) in the Shorin-Ryu Shorin-Kan system, I used to fence Epee, but haven’t recently (I need new gear, and more time, and more energy…), and I used to stream a lot on Twitch (and still do occasionally). I love reading, watching movies, and TV shows. Basically just a content-consuming machine. I also play flute (classical) and mandolin (Irish trad lately, but also whatever else I fancy), and I used to play the Hurdy Gurdy (though they’re difficult to travel with, and very high-maintenance instruments). I also used to drive a motorcycle, and one day hope to get my Irish license so that I can tour the country on a bike (with appropriate wet-weather gear of course). Ok, well I think that’s more than enough about me. If you ever want to know more, feel free to contact me. I’m persistently online.