Lewis Edwards

All About Me

My name is Lewis Niall Edwards

I am 20 years old and was diagnosed Autistic when I was 9 years old.

I live in Wigton with my Mum, Dad, Older sister Lucy and younger brother Ethan I have a cat called Oscar.

My Mum and Dad own their own pharmacy business with 3 shops which I used to help out on a Saturday; I also helped out during the pandemic in-between remote college learning as it has been extremely busy as all 3 of the pharmacies were COVID vaccine sites.

I enjoy playing on my Xbox and Oculus VR Headset, I play Badminton at Wigton Badminton Club, I like to cook and bake so cake is never too far away, I really enjoy going to comedy shows, and my favourite place to go is Florida.

I passed my driving test in March 2020 and I have my own car.

I have 10 GCSE’s all grade 4 or above with Maths which is a grade 7 being my strongest subject

Why I want a career in IT

My favourite subjects at school are Maths and Computing and IT ticks both of those boxes. 

I am looking for a career in IT because I feel that it will play to my strengths.  I really enjoy maths and find the subject interesting and relatively easy; I have also very strong IT skills.  Everything we do these days are IT based and the first thing we all do these days wherever we go whether it’s on holiday or visiting relatives is ask for the Wi-Fi password!  IT is definitely the future. 

I studied Level 3 Extended Diploma in Computer Science at Carlisle College.  My grade on completion of the course is DMM.  Due to the pandemic and restrictions the practical work was very restricted on our time spent in college and we worked mainly remotely since March 2020.  There are 21 different elements covered in the BTEC course from fundamentals to software design, human computer interaction, networking system analysis to mention a few.

In August 2020 I signed up for the Energus Cyberfirst Advanced course.  We were supposed to attend Energus College in Workington for 5 days however again due to the pandemic they changed to course so that it could go ahead remotely.  This was also a new experience for them too as this was the first time they had run such course remotely.  We had a 5-day course held remotely we received our course workbook through the post to help and guide us through the week. Day 1 was Digital Forensics, Day 2 covered Encryption, Day 3 was Open-Source Intelligence, Day 4 Penetration Testing and Day 5 was an overview of the week and how we had all enjoyed it.  I then received a certificate which I have attached.  I was a very interesting course giving a small insight into what goes on behind the scenes.

During my time on work experience with both Lamont Pridmore and David Allen’s I used different computer software like SAGE and in the pharmacy, we use Analyst which is unique to pharmacy. I can use these programs with ease and confidence. 

In October 2021 I was taken on by Nestle on the Kickstart scheme in the IT/Automation department the initial contract was a 6-month placement.  After the initial 6-month 25-hour contract I was offered an extension for 37.5 hours until end October 2022.  This was then extended again to 31st December 2022. I was then offered a sidestep into GLOBE (SAP) Co-ordination from 1st January 2023 to 31st May 2023 unfortunately due to the current economic struggles they cannot offer a permanent contract so my contract will expire 31st May 2023. During my time at Nestle I have learned a lot of new skills and had a lot of practical experience which we missed out a lot at college.

At home I have used a computer since I could control a mouse. At 3 years old I am told I was a wiz at Lego Racers on PC.  I have installed programs and games on PC and tablets.  I have changed RAM, I recently swapped the graphics card from my Dad’s old Acer Predator to my Mum’s work PC as she got herself 2 screens but they kept going black as the integrated graphics could not cope with 2 screens so my brother and I swapped the graphics card over and its now working really well. There is nothing more satisfying than taking the side off a PC and giving it a good vacuum out they collect so much dust. I helped Dad wall mount his 2 new curved screens in the office at home and wall mount my new 55” TV that I got for Christmas.  We recently switched broadband providers at home and switching the new router was an easy task and going round all devices with the new pass code, resetting the upstairs extender was also easier this time than on previous occasions.  I have recently bought with the money I got from helping out in the pharmacy an Oculus Quest 2 VR Headset this is something I really enjoy.

My autism makes me very task focused and I think the excellent IT skills I have learned at school/college & Nestle will help me with the systems and tools used in IT to develop a great career in the IT sector.

My top 3 skills are

Problem solving – I have always been good at problem solving especially in maths

I Work well on my own – once given a task I like to finish a task accurately in the allocated time frame

Excellent IT skills – I have a good knowledge and understanding of IT and have uses some accountancy programs like SAGE on my work experience and Analyst which we use in the pharmacy both of which are not your run of the mill everyday computer programs.

3 words to describe me

Quiet – I am always quiet around people I don’t know

Curious – I am always curious to find out how things work

Committed – I am always 100% committed to what I do

What motivates me?

I like to get things done!

I like things done on time and correct!

I am willing to do any training that is required and I will always give 100% no matter what.  I am very committed which shows in my 100% attendance record throughout my 5 years at Nelson Thomlinson School gaining a 100% attendance medal every year.  The only time I have taken off from college was for my driving test.

I am ready for a new challenge and feel a career in IT will give me the challenge I’m looking for.  I am looking forward to learning new things and training in something I know I am really going to enjoy!  I am always punctual and well presented with good organisation skills.

IT Technician & Globe (SAP) Co-ordinator

Deploying and managing assets like PC's, laptops, monitors, printers etc. 

Setting up from scratch PC's, laptops, and tablets in different departments across the factory.  Firstline troubleshooting IT issues across the plant and dealing with issues quickly to ensure smooth running within the factory. 

I have a good all-round knowledge of Microsoft operating systems and programs.

Regular maintance of all IT equipment throughout the factory and checking PAT testing is up to date.  Keep IT stores tidy and well stocked with spares and make sure all broken and unrepairable machines are properly disposed of.

Execute daily/weekly health checks to maintain system health. Maintaining GLOBE. Monitoring accuracy data.  Training new users/new starters in the systems and GLOBE processes relating to their areas.

I have had full health and safety training.

GCSE -              Mathematics – 7

                          English Literature – 3

                          English Language – 3

                          Chemistry – 6

                          Physics – 6

                          Biology – 5

                          Computing –4 

                           Geography – 5

                           D & T Systems – 4 

                           Food & Nutrition – 6

                           English Language – 4 - Carlisle College 2020

Carlisle College - September 2019 to June 2021 

Level 3 Extended Diploma In Computer Science – DMM