Vanessa Merritt
Education
Front-End Development Immersive
HackerYou, Toronto, ON
Spring 2014
A nine week intensive program that focused on HTML5, CSS3, responsive design, jQuery, JavaScript, APIs, WordPress, design theory and personal branding. In this short time I learned front-end essentials from industry professionals in a collaborative and project-based environment. I am currently pursuing work as a junior web developer!
Masters of Information Studies
University Of Toronto, Toronto, ON
2008-2010
A two year masters degree with a focus on Library Science and Information Management. I am an expert in the organization and interpretation of information, research strategies and effective communication. I love to create websites that convey a message concisely and with flare.
Bachelor of Arts, Honours
Brock University, St. Catharines, ON
2003-2008
My undergraduate degree in history gave me more than a memory for dates. I developed a strong work ethic and time management skills that I employ to this day. Plus, I discovered my love of learning, research and problem solving.
Key Skills
Great at:
- HTML5, CSS3 and responsive design
- WordPress theme development, converting HTML & CSS sites to WordPress themes, using custom post types and custom fields
- Sublime Text
- Best practices for modern web development
- Website accessibility requirements
- Paired programming & working in teams
Worked with:
- CSS pre-processors
- Wireframing, prototyping with front-end frameworks, creating style-guides
- JavaScript fundamentals, jQuery and using APIs
- Git and Github
Work Experience
HackerYou, Ladies Learning Code & Kids Learning Code Mentor
March 2014 - Presently
Ladies Learning Code and Kids Learning Code strive to teach technology in fun and engaging ways. Mentoring is a proactive way to address the gender gap in the tech industry. Plus, I think it is important to prepare kids to be smarter than us one day.
Librarian, Toronto Public Library
York Woods Branch
November 2010 - June 2014
I have recently left the reference desk to pursue my passion - web development. I worked as a children's librarian, responsible for delivering literacy programming, customer service and community outreach in the Jane and Finch community. Working in this high needs community was intensely challenging and immensely rewarding. We increased the amount of customer visits, items borrowed and exceeded our outreach quotas in the span of one year. I was also a member of the Toronto Public Library Pride Committee, a volunteer initiative to promote safe work environments for LGBTQ employees.
Assistant Library Technician
University of Toronto Libraries and Archives
2008 - 2010
I assisted with reference and shelving duties at the University of Toronto Libraries and Archives. One of my more interesting projects was making a detailed inventory of a retired nursing professor's papers. It even included her nurse's uniform and cap from the 1950s. I developed strong organizational skills and perfected my time management in this position.
Box Office Supervisor
Brock Centre for the Arts, 2006-2008
Roy Thomson and Massey Hall, 2008
I worked as a customer service manager in two fast-paced, customer-driven box offices. I supervised teams of up to 15 representatives during show times and on-sale dates. I also met Emmylou Harris's dog! I handled customer concerns in a timely and professional manner in this high stress environment.