The Legit Baines Blog

  Cuthbert Baines Is Finally Ready Willing and Able to Relocate   🚚🚚🚚 For many new graduates in computing, software engineering, or data analytics, the moment of graduation is both exciting and intimidating. The world of technology offers enormous opportunity, but it also demands flexibility, persistence, and sometimes a willingness to go where the opportunities are. Increasingly, graduates are discovering that relocation can be one of the most powerful ways to accelerate the start of a career in the IT sector. Being open to moving cities can expose young professionals to larger job markets, stronger industry clusters, and networks of companies actively searching for new talent. 💪💪💪 One of the greatest advantages of relocating as a new IT graduate is simple economics: bigger technology hubs naturally contain more companies, more vacancies, and more specialisations. Digital technology employment across the UK has grown rapidly in recent years, with tech jobs expanding r...

 Reintroducing Cuthbert Baines For New People In His Network As a recent IT graduate I'm new to the IT industry so I don't have the kinds of professional connections I need to be given a head-start, I'm one of the many new IT graduates applying for the relatively few  graduate jobs out there.  I am prioritising my personal and professional development right now.  I wish I had gone to University 20 years ago but for reasons outside my control I was written off at 16 so I missed out.  I don't give up easily up so I finally went to Hallam University when I was 35 and got a 2.1 in computing in 2025, now I'm willing to go the extra mile and do what needs to be done to make up for lost time!  I had to get a job when I was 18 so I've got the professionalism, life experience and wisdom of a (late) 30-something who's worked his entire adult life combined with the youthful intellectual energy of an explorer and a pioneer new to the IT sector with his own fresh innov...

Baines is on a path of continuous personal development, his next target is the programming language C++  💪💪💪  I’ve always believed that growth happens when you deliberately step outside your comfort zone. That’s exactly why I’ve started learning C++. I’m constantly looking for ways to raise my programming game to the next level, and C++ feels like a natural progression—especially as I continue aiming for a future in embedded systems . Even though I haven’t yet had my big break into the professional embedded world, I want to be ready when the right opportunity appears. Preparation meets opportunity-that’s the goal. C++ is powerful, fast, and close to the hardware, which makes it ideal for embedded development. It forces you to think more carefully about memory, performance, and system design. That challenge is exactly what attracts me. I don’t just want to write code that works-I want to understand what’s happening under the hood. By building a strong foundation in C++, I’m...

 Becoming an IT Graduate as a Mature Student: The Reality No One Talks About Going to university as a mature student was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Studying IT later in life meant juggling responsibilities, self-doubt, and the pressure of starting again in a completely new industry. Graduating felt like a huge achievement. But stepping into the job market as a new IT graduate who isn’t new to work at all came with its own set of challenges. What I quickly realised is that breaking into IT as a mature graduate isn’t just about technical skills. It’s about confidence, reframing experience, and learning how to tell your story in a way employers understand. Sheffield Hallam University Challenging the Assumptions of Employers and Recruiters One of the first hurdles I encountered was assumption. There’s a quiet expectation in some recruitment processes that a “graduate” is young, fresh out of university, and at the very start of their working life. ...

Why Would I be the Ideal Solutions Architect? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 In today’s fast-moving technology landscape, organisations need more than just technical expertise - they need strategic thinkers who can bridge the gap between business goals and technical reality. A Solutions Architect must translate complex requirements into efficient, scalable, and maintainable systems, while communicating effectively with technical teams and stakeholders alike. I believe my journey — from a mature computing student at Sheffield Hallam University to a creative problem-solver with hands-on experience in software, hardware and real-world projects - uniquely positions me for this role. A Solid Technical Foundation My journey into tech wasn’t traditional — I returned to study computing as a mature student, driven by curiosity and a passion for solving problems in elegant, efficient ways. On my GitHub profile , I describe myself as “The Man of Many Moments” — which reflects both my varied interests in...

 💻💻💻 Staying health- and safety-aware can be surprisingly difficult when your job keeps you glued to a screen, focused on reports, dashboards, and deadlines. These simple but effective tips will help you protect your wellbeing while maintaining productivity. 1. Prioritize Proper Desk Ergonomics 💺💺💺 Set up your chair, monitor, and keyboard so your body stays in a neutral, supported position—this reduces strain on your neck, shoulders, and back. 2. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule for Eye Health Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain from extended screen time. 3. Take Scheduled Micro-Breaks Short, regular breaks improve your comfort and concentration—set reminders to stand, stretch, or walk for a minute or two. 4. Keep Your Workspace Clutter-Free A tidy area prevents trip hazards, spilled drinks on electronics, and the stress that comes from a chaotic environment. 5. Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day Drinking enough water keeps yo...

🧭 1. Workplace Health & Safety Assessment Purpose  👍 To identify workplace hazards, evaluate associated risks, and plan control measures to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all employees — even in a primarily office or remote data analytics setting. Step 1: Identify Hazards For a data analytics start-up, typical hazards include: Category Examples of Hazards Potential Impact Physical Environment Poor lighting, trip hazards from cables, ergonomic issues Eye strain, back/neck pain, falls Equipment & Electrical Overloaded sockets, faulty devices, overheating laptops Electrical fires, equipment damage Workstation Setup Poor chair posture, screen height Musculoskeletal disorders Psychosocial Workload stress, long screen time, isolation (remote workers) Burnout, reduced mental well-being Fire Safety Inaccessible exits, lack of fire extinguisher Injury, property damage Health & Hygiene Poor ventilation, inadequate first ai...

I n a world that celebrates productivity and visible output, thinking time can often be undervalued. We're so used to equating work with motion — typing, emailing, attending meetings — that stillness can feel like laziness. But the best ideas, the clearest plans, and the most innovative solutions usually begin in the quiet moments when nothing appears to be happening. Before diving into action, we need to give ourselves space to think things through — to explore possibilities, test assumptions, and map a direction. S tepping away from your desk can be one of the most productive things you do all day. A short walk, a moment by the window, or even just sitting with a notebook can shift your perspective entirely. When we remove ourselves from the constant tug of the screen and allow our minds to wander, we often find connections and insights we wouldn’t have spotted while knee-deep in tasks. It’s not procrastination — it’s preparation. I n the early stages of any project, pen and pa...

  CUTHBERT BAINES PROFILE Full-stack python/Django developer. Intellectually curious and open minded Computing graduate specialising in Internet of Things (IoT) and microcomputing solutions. Experienced in working with microcontrollers, data collection, transmission, analysis, and live dashboards. Strong problem-solving skills and a proven work ethic from years in diverse roles. I am completely focused on completing the project at hand. Always do what needs to be done to make the project a success. Inquisitive mind, always willing to learn. Approachable and supportive of other Developers and Users.  Enjoys finding Innovative solutions to any problems that arise. ROLE I love solving problems. Looking for my first main role ideally in python / micro python / circuit python and Embedded software systems, data hubs, dashboards. I also have hardware experience. Plus experience in various languages and systems. So also very open to working with other languages and frameworks. KEY SK...