Super Seven #29 Rosanna Fish
In our 29th Super Seven Series we profile our Senior Software Engineer, Rosanna Fish. Rosanna joined us in June bringing with them software developer experience and the ability to approach problems technically but also creatively. Find out more here:
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I had an interesting journey to becoming a software engineer. Growing up, I was fascinated by video game design and this led to my first exposure to programming: modifying Ruby scripts for a 2D game engine. However, my degree was actually in Music and Sound Recording, which, whilst containing elements of music, was a smorgasbord of technical things too: acoustics, electronics, digital signal processing, computer audio systems and audio programming. After I graduated, my first job was as a classical sound engineer and editor, where I recorded orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists for a classical record label, and edited and mastered those recordings for release. After three years I made the transition to software development, working for a small team in a medium-sized company that wrote monitoring and control software for small boats, such as RNLI lifeboats and some fast search and rescue craft. This really developed my C++ skills, and so when I was ready for a more varied challenge, I applied for the software development position at KETS.
2. What do you do in KETS?
I’m a Software Developer, and I’m currently working on ways to make the software that interacts with the Quantum Key Distribution system more robust and reliable. This is a fantastic task, as it involves all stages of the process — from gathering information from the device itself, manipulating that data and then interacting with microcontrollers to make necessary adjustments to system parameters.
3. What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?
There are many enjoyable things! Everyone at KETS is incredibly friendly and interesting, and I have felt at home here since my first day. The technology is absolutely fascinating and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning some new scientific concepts. I also love the variety in my role: I get to work on so many different types of development from the low-level hardware interface and kernel driver up to the higher-level data processing.
4. What inspires you?
It’s really inspiring being part of a passionate start-up that is developing systems that use such a new technology. Everyone else’s enthusiasm is infectious and the fact that this is potentially a technology that will be needed by everyone in the near future is very exciting. On a personal level, I love being outdoors and my greatest source of inspiration is the natural world.
5. What advice would you give someone wanting to get into software development?
I would definitely say that if you’re interested in getting into software development after university, don’t worry if you don’t have a computer science degree (equally, don’t feel you have to pick comp sci if you’d rather study something else!). It’s much more about having an analytical mind and some experience in your chosen language. The best way to learn is to just have a go. There are so many resources available nowadays, particularly on YouTube, that it’s quite easy to get started and then pick an easy first project — a small program that would perhaps be useful to you — and have a go at writing it. To begin with you’ll probably have to Google how to do every other thing but that’s okay (knowing how to effectively search for answers is a big part of software development too!), and when you start to reach the top of that initial learning curve it’s very satisfying.
6. What do you do when you’re not in work?
I am very close to my family and I love spending time with them. I also have far too many hobbies. I am working on my own game development project, which is a procedurally-generated top-down exploration game, along with working on a fantasy novel. I play viola in a string orchestra and sometimes a string quartet, and I play piano and clarinet too. I also enjoy cycling, crochet (particularly making garments) and gardening (especially growing vegetables).
7. What’s the last book you read?
Completely by coincidence (I finished this book before I applied for the job with KETS) I read The Field by Lyne McTaggart. It’s about the theory that all things are connected, to a greater or lesser extent, by interacting with a quantum field that permeates everything. Whether the theory is true or not, it’s a fascinating and thought-provoking read.
To get in touch with Rosanna, drop us an email at enquiry@kets-quantum.com