MICHAEL ANTHONY SOARES
Voicemail: +1 (514) 552-3552 | E-mail: mike [at] mikesoares [dot] com
Summary of Qualifications
- Programming Languages
- Industry experience: PHP, MySQL, JavaScript/jQuery, CSS, (X)HTML, JSON & XML
- Academic experience: C, C++, C#, Java, VHDL & Motorola 68K Assembly
Design
- APIs: Facebook, Foursquare, Google Maps, Twitter, Tropo WebAPI & OpenSRS
- Source Control: Subversion, Git & Perforce
- Operating Systems
- Industry experience: Microsoft Windows & Linux (CentOS with OpenVZ kernel)
- Personal experience: Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) & Mac OS X
- Professional Skills
- First-rate troubleshooting experience & problem solving abilities gained in previous jobs
- Effective worker under pressure or when meeting a deadline; excellent time management skills
- Motivated team player; understands & follows instructions with ease & minimal supervision
Work Experience
Sep - Dec 2011
Software Engineer Intern - Words With Friends (WWF) Mobile Team
Zynga Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
- Developed new features for Words With Friends HTML5/jQuery-based game, including a snapshot feature now used with Open Graph on Facebook
- Researched and developed new methods of automating quality assurance
- Maintainability and extensibility backend work
Sep - Dec 2010
PHP Web Developer Intern
QuinStreet, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
- Developed high quality life insurance calculator on Insure.com and MSN.com using CodeIgniter MVC, CSS and jQuery
- Researched and implemented key speed initiatives for reducing site load times, improving user experience and improving search engine optimization
- Conducted A/B tests on company websites to measure performance changes and other analytics
Jan - Apr 2010
Internet Application Developer
Canfone.com Inc., Montreal, QC
- Scripted custom PHP library for Tucows OpenSRS API and integrated it with the Magento e-commerce platform (see SSLTree.com)
- Created free and automatic deployment system for Magento via cPanel backend
(see MagentoInstaller.com) using PHP and Perl
- Developed custom plug-ins/add-ons for customers using Magento and osCommerce platforms
- Managed Linux servers running cPanel/WHM backend on CentOS with OpenVZ kernel
May - Aug 2009
Technical Analyst - Developer
The CUMIS Group Limited, Burlington, ON
- Developed web service client with XML-based API to aid in importing financial data from
deprecated to new web application
- Upgraded web and Excel-based console apps for Visual Studio and SQL Server 2005 compliancy
- Coded in ASP.NET, T-SQL, VB.NET and XHTML in order to complete all assigned projects
Jan - Apr 2008
Sep - Dec 2008
Junior Technologist
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Toronto, ON
- Built physical and virtual servers using Microsoft SCCM and VMware Server on Dell and HP blade hardware
- Led project involving migration of all server remote access controllers to independent switches
- Worked with and became more familiar with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and related management tools, Microsoft ADS, Microsoft Virtual Server, CiscoWorks, EasyIP, WhatsUp Gold, Dell
OpenManage and Veritas NetBackup
- Ensured that all operational and maintenance functions were carried out as per firm requirements
Aug 2006
Jun - Aug 2007
Student IT Assistant
Lower Canada College, Montreal, QC
- Repaired and (re)configured several hundred new/old laptops for students and staff
- Urged school administrators to further secure wired and wireless networks on multiple occasions
- Suggested several techniques to prevent students from misusing laptops, in and outside of classroom
July 2004 - Aug 2007
Private Computer Consultant
Self-Employed, Montreal, QC
- Repaired and (re)configured PCs with hardware- and software-related problems
- Trained clients on how to use computers during various workshops
Education
Sep 2007 - Present
Candidate for Bachelor of Applied Science,
Honours Computer
Engineering
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Sep 2006 - May 2007
Pre-University Programme Certificate of Graduation (with High Honours)
Lower Canada College, Montreal, QC
Sep 2003 - Jun 2006
High School Certificate of Graduation (with Honours)
Lower Canada College, Montreal, QC
Related Projects - see soarescode.com for more
- Where is Mike Soares? whereis.mikesoares.com
- Experimented with Google Maps JavaScript and Foursquare APIs by retrieving and plotting recent check-ins on a map
- Points of interest on the map are connected to each other and can be scrolled through in order of check-in time with check-in information included at each POI
- PHP Retweeter soarescode.com/php_retweeter
- Developed a PHP-based library to easily call API methods Twitter has to offer
- Notable features include the ability to search and "retweet" people's Twitter posts and delete most direct messages in just a few lines of code
- JobMine Interview Notifier soarescode.com/jobmine_interview_notifier
- Automated the process of checking for interviews on JobMine by automating user login, scraping the applications page, and performing an MD5 and row-by-row comparison of all applications against data stored on the site and in an off-site database
- Provides notifications to students every 30 minutes (if applicable) via e-mail and SMS
- Real-Time Operating System soarescode.com/ece_354_real_time_operating_system_group_04
- Developed real-time operating system that runs on MCF5307-based microcontroller boards
- Provides basic multiprogramming environment with
5 priority levels, preemption, simple memory management,
message-based interprocess communication, basic timing service,
system console I/O and debugging support
- Motorola 68K Assembly
- Hardware/Software: Motorola's Coldfire MCF5307
microprocessor with Janus ROM, programmed using TeraTerm
- Using the Coldfire assembler, implemented a
decimal to binary converter through modular programming of subroutines
- Implemented I/O subroutines to configure serial
ports for input and parallel ports for output to implement a
calculator using a standard keypad
- Implemented a timer using interrupt service
routines
- RLC Circuit Analysis and Design
- Hardware/Software: Operational Amplifiers,
Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors, Potentiometers, Oscilloscopes,
Multimeters, LCR Meters. Circuits simulated using PSpice Circuit
Simulator and Bode plots plotted using LVBode.
- Instrumentation orientation: measured and
simulated response of an RC circuit
- Investigated limitations of various measurement
techniques
- Designed, simulated and measured first- and
second-order circuit responses as well as tuned circuit responses and
common emitter amplifier
- Runtime Analysis of XML Serialization in VB.NET (E&CE Work Report)
- Conducted runtime analysis of using structures vs. classes to serialize data for application
developed at The CUMIS Group Limited
- Recommended design solutions that will help keep runtime to a minimum
- VHDL State Machines
- Hardware/Software: Altera DE2 board using a
Cyclone II FPGA chip programmed using Quartus II FPGA Design
software
- Implemented 7-segment decoder circuit,
clock divider using modulus and binary counters to reduce 50 Hz clock
to 1 Hz and traffic light control system with night/day modes
using car detection sensors
- Analysis of Data Centre Cabling and Recommendations (E&CE Work Report)
- Conducted analysis of network cabling layout/design at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- Recommended productivity-increasing solutions within data centre by reducing amount of
cabling used
- Robot Design and Construction
- Designed and built remote-controlled robot capable of performing a single, yet important task
- Wired the robot according to schematics put together by self and others
- Understood concept of structural integrity and gained more experience working with electronics
Awards and Scholarships
Dec 2009
President's Award
Engineering Society - University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Sep 2007
President's Scholarship
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Jun 2006
Excellence in English and French
Lower Canada College, Montreal, QC
Feb 2005
Scholarship to Study Abroad
Lower Canada College, Montreal, QC
Jun 2001 - 2004
Computer Award
Lower Canada College, Montreal, QC
Volunteer Experience
May 2009 - April 2011
Webmaster
Engineering Society - University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
- Maintaining and updating new Drupal-based website and existing custom backend
- Developing custom Orientation Week website for new students to consult and use
- Advising Society executives and directors on how to maintain and create customized Drupal-based
pages for student use
Oct 2009 - Apr 2010
Translator
Canadian Federation of Engineering Students, Ottawa, ON
- Translating various news postings and Federation documents from English to French
Sep 2007 - Aug 2008
Residence Computer Consultant
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
- Helped students with computer and network problems in residence
- Informed students on what they could and could not do on the university's network
Oct 2006
Webmaster
U13 CAIS Soccer Tournament, Montreal, QC
- Coded static website for tournament containing list of participating schools and game schedules
- Provided website visitors with live scores as tournament took place
Apr 2004
Presentation Designer
Evening of Small Miracles - Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC
- Meticulously put together multimedia presentation for charity event for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Visited hospital to fully understand what the event was for and brainstorm for presentation
Activities
May 2008 - Present
Class and Academic Representative
4A Computer Engineering - University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Sep 2003 - Present
Forum Moderator
Microsoft Software Forum Network, MSFN.org
Sep 2006 - May 2007
Treasurer
Webster Council - Lower Canada College, Montreal, QC
Oct 2005 - Feb 2007
Captain
Robotics Team - Lower Canada College, Montreal, QC
Sep 2005 - Jun 2006
Student Communications Head
Grad Pride - Lower Canada College, Montreal, QC
Non-Tech Interests
- Travel, music, movies, football, hockey, food, photography, and television comedies and dramas