Ben Ashley: A Software Developer Who Never Stops Learning

Nowadays, with the vast amount of online resources available, becoming a software developer, a self-taught one, is more feasible than ever before. It can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own unique set of challenges and difficulties that must be overcome in order to succeed.

Ben Ashley is a software developer from Birmingham who is passionate about open source, automation, and problem-solving. Due to his website, he experienced the true impact of digital presence on acquiring clients.

In this interview, he shares his experience and advice for those who are starting in the software industry. So, let’s discover the skills and knowledge of this software developer, who is always eager to learn!

Who Is Ben Ashley?

With his diverse skill set, Ben is a valuable asset for any organization looking to build modern and robust software applications.

Ben is a software developer proficient in C#, ASP.NET Core, Entity Framework, and Razor & Blazor, which are essential for developing web applications. Additionally, he is also familiar with Typescript, React, Next.js, Vue, Node, and Express, making him capable of developing high-quality and efficient front-end applications. Ben is also adept in working with Terraform, Azure KeyVault, Config & Feature Flags, which are essential for building cloud-based applications. He also has experience working with SQL, Cosmos/MongoDb, and File/Blob Storage, which are crucial for building and managing databases and data storage solutions. 

In addition to his proficiency in various programming languages and tools, Ben Ashley is also knowledgeable in several other essential software development technologies. He is experienced in:

• Event Sourcing, MassTransit
• Azure DevOps, Azure Portal
• CI/CD Pipelines
• Microservices
• Docker & Kubernetes
• Command Queues
• Azure SB, WebJobs & Functions

In Ben’s own words, his ability to pick up new concepts quickly is his strongest skill. He can provide fresh insight and alternative solutions to problems. Moreover, he constantly looks for ways to improve processes and often researches new technologies, and finds ways to implement them to either improve his personal efficiency, or bring it to the product he is working on.

What Drives This Self-Taught Software Developer?

On the list of his hobbies are PC gaming, hardware, traveling, and guitar, but let’s see the list of his projects because he has been busy with some really interesting ones lately! He started by collaborating on DECLASSIFIED, an interactive map that had some pretty cool javascript, but needed a bit of work. He swooped in like a coding superhero, moved it over to Netlify, and even set up some snazzy CI/CD tools. But that wasn’t enough for him, so he also created DECLASSIFIED – Challenge Tracker, a mobile-friendly app that keeps track of in-game challenges. 

And when he’s not busy saving the internet from bad javascript, he’s teaching students with The Javascript Playground, a basic educational site that he whipped up in no time. But wait, there’s more! Ben also created The Livestream Console, which started as a way to help his church improve its live streams during the pandemic. It’s a web app that uses OAuth 2.0 and the YouTube Data API v3 to manage live streams, and he’s even thinking of rewriting it as a static react site. Phew, we are tired just thinking about all that coding!

So, what drives him most? Ben Ashley is driven by his passion for learning and problem-solving. He wakes up ready to learn new things and tackle new challenges. “Each day inspires me to learn something new. I’m excited by how software is transforming every industry and bringing new challenges to overcome,” he states.

What Would This Software Developer Do Differently?

When asked what he would change if he could do it all over again, Ben answered that he would start pursuing a Microsoft certification and substitute teaching earlier. He believes that both experiences were extremely rewarding and valuable. However, he has very few regrets in his career so far.

Advice For Those Starting In The Software Industry

“My advice for someone starting in the software industry is to never stop learning!” highlights Ben, and explains: “Tech is always improving, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember, there are no stupid questions, if you’re ever in a position where you’re being told not to ask so many questions, I recommend looking for a role elsewhere as soon as possible!”

The Biggest Success In His Career As A Software Developer

Ben Ashley is most proud of being a self-taught software developer who can quickly learn and apply new technologies in a commercial environment. Although formal education didn’t appeal to him, he has built a solid career foundation through his passion for learning and the guidance of his colleagues.

The Importance Of Personal Branding And The Impact Of Positive Online Presence

Ben believes that having a strong personal brand and positive online presence is crucial in today’s digital age. It helps to establish you as a candidate and put you in those interview seats more frequently.

Having a personal website has been a valuable asset for Ben Ashley in terms of standing out from the crowd. It showcases his skills and experience in a professional and organized manner, which can make a significant impact in a competitive job market where every detail counts.

When we asked Ben about his decision to pick .ME for his personal website, he explained that he chose .me because it stood out from the more commonplace .com or .co.uk. The prices were also more reasonable, and it just made sense to end the domain with “me” as the website is a personal one.

Plans For The Future

In the future, Ben hopes to further progress his knowledge of the cloud computing space. He is excited to see where AI leads us toward teaching and driving efficient and secure coding practices. Also, he hopes to find himself in a leadership role where he can guide and inspire teams to reach their full potential.

Ben Ashley’s success story is a testament to the power of passion and learning. He is a self-taught software developer who never stops learning and is always looking for new challenges to overcome. His story is an inspiration to those who are starting in the software industry and to anyone who is looking to pursue their passions and dreams. Thanks, Ben!