MikeMacdonald

Berkhamsted, United Kingdom // mike@mike-macdonald.co.uk

I am an AWS Solutions architect with extensive experience working in high pressured environments within the education sector. I love problem solving, analytical thinking and helping companies learn how the cloud can enhance the elasticity of their company, optimise their performance and reduce their costs. I have no problem being the least knowledgeable person in the room, learning everything I can and asking the questions that no one else wants to ask.

For a downloadable PDF version of my CV please click here

Projects

Using OAC with a static S3 website and utilising CI/CD with CodePipeline
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This project secures a static website hosted in S3 by using Origin Access Control (OAC) instead of public access. CI/CD is then used by connecting a remote GitHub repository with AWS CodePipeline which automatically deploys pushed changes to the website S3 bucket. This change to the S3 bucket then calls a Lambda function which automatically creates a CloudFront invalidation to ensure the CloudFront is always serving the most up-to-date website.
Download OAC with CI/CD and Lambda Documentation

Secure Two-Tier Architecture with ALB, Autoscaling and RDS Database
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This project was to design and deploy a fault-tolerant proof of concept architecture for a small business moving to the cloud. I created a secure two-tier architecture using an internet gateway, application load balancer, auto-scaling group of EC2s (in multiple availability zones) and an RDS MySQL database protected using secrets manager. This was then deployed using infrastructure as code with both CloudFormation and Terraform
Download Two Tier RDS Architecture Documentation PDF
Two Tier RDS Architecture Git Repository

Using HTTP APIs to Launch Instances
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In this project I created an HTTP API using AWS API Gateway that has two methods. One method invokes a Lambda function that starts any EC2 with a specfic tag, the other stops any EC2 with a specific tag. As an additional step I included an EventBridge schedule that automatically stops the EC2s at midnight each day to prevent accidentally leaving the EC2s running and incurring costs.
Download HTTP API Documentation PDF
HTTP API GitHub Repository

Two Minute Tuesdays
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Each week on a Tuesday I have been sharing on LinkedIn short easy to understand video overviews of some of the key AWS services. These are aimed at those just starting their cloud journey as it's hard to go into detail in two minutes! The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
View the on my YouTube channel here

Amazon VPC Peering Connections
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I wanted to do a proof of concept using AWS Peering Connections to connect multiple VPCs. The project entailed creating 4 VPCs with EC2 instances in each one including a bastion host in a public subnet that could SSH into each of the instances that were in each VPC. This was done using CloudFormation (Infrastructure as Code). I wrote two python scripts to run on the bastion host. The first iterated through a dictionary of the IP addresses of the other instances and copied the second script to each one. The second script then attempted to ping all of the other instances and then printed the results. If the Peering Connections had been set up correctly each instance would be able to ping each other instance. I then deliberately made one fail (in two different ways) to prove the quality of the python scripts.
Download VPC Peering Documentation PDF
VPC Peering GitHub Repository

Certifications

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AWS Solutions Architect Associate

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AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

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AWS CloudQuest Cloud Practitioner

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AWS CloudQuest Solutions Architect

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Qualified Teacher Status

Experience

Freelance Solutions Architect

Various businesses
(July 2023 - Present)
  • Created Proof Of Concept architecture for start-up looking to secure investor funding.
    • Three tier architecture.
    • Scalable decoupled microservices architecture including EC2, SQS, SNS, Lambda, RDS.
    • Implemented best security practices including least privilege, logging, MFA.
  • Designed architecture for small business looking to moving to the cloud.
    • Utilised highly available EC2s, application load balancer, Lambda, Aurora MySQL, API Gateway, Quicksight, SNS, SQS, SES and S3 (Intelligent Tiering and Glacier).
    • Tracked ads through various social media to see which was best platform for marketing.
  • Created CloudFront deployment with Origin Access Control for website entirely in Terraform.
    • Created custom terraform module for multiple re-use of website.
    • Utilised GitHub for version control with Git CLI commands.
    • Used Bash scripting for automated environment set up.
    • Managed both locally and through Terraform Cloud.

Freelance IT Support

Local Charity
(April 2020 - Present)
  • Technical Skills - Provide ongoing IT support and advice to help further charities goals.
    • Consulted and managed charity’s migration to Office365 for non profits.
    • Maintain charity’s Office365 including user management, security and MFA.
    • Design and manage charity website including DNS configurations.
    • Procured and deployed IT infrastructure for staff.

IT Support (Volunteer)

Local Church
(September 2012 - Present)
  • Technical Skills - Provide ongoing IT support and advice to help further church's goals.
    • Procured and deployed all staff laptops.
    • Provided risk/benefit analysis that lead to leading the migration of IT infrastructure from legacy on premises server to cloud based file system.
    • Administrator on cloud file system, managing users, security of shared file structure, MFA.
    • Technical liaison with external company to set up mesh WIFI network to improve WIFI access for staff and visitors.
    • Designed and manage church website including DNS configuration.
    • Managed church integration with multiple SaaS systems.
    • Continue to provide remote support using TeamViewer remote software.
  • Leadership - Run Audio/Visual team including training sessions for staff and volunteers.

Maths and Photography Teacher + School Timetabler

Tring Park School
(January 2013 - July 2023)
  • Problem Solving - Successful development and implementation of school timetable, efficiently coordinating the schedules of 370 students and 60 staff members year after year. Demonstrated exceptional problem-solving and analytical abilities in overcoming scheduling challenges and ensuring optimal utilisation of resources. Proven expertise in managing complex logistical operations, showcasing a strong attention to detail and a solution-oriented mindset while liaising with staff to ensure their needs are met within the timetable.
  • Strategic Thinking - Developed and executed a comprehensive COVID technology strategy, enabling seamless transition to online teaching and ensuring continuity of education during the pandemic.
  • Project Management - Efficiently orchestrated the school's inaugural live-streamed open day, overseeing a team of 25 individuals. Planned and directed the pre-filming process over two months, capturing relevant materials, and skilfully executed a live-streamed Q&A session, engaging prospective students and parents in real-time.
  • Competence - Provided instruction in Mathematics across various age groups, including A Level, demonstrating adaptability and proficiency in delivering complex subject matter to a variety of comprehension levels using effective differentiation.
  • Leadership - Nominated by colleagues to be a staff representative to the Senior Leadership Team, advocating for staff concerns and facilitating communication between staff and management.
  • Leadership - Led a dynamic team of teachers to spearhead technology integration in the classroom, providing training and support to enhance digital literacy among educators.

    • Photographer

    MacMac Photography
    (July 2010 - January 2013)
  • Organisation - Successfully operated a photography business, capturing memorable moments for more than 100 weddings and executing various commercial assignments.
  • Project Management - Effectively coordinated a 12-month photography and video project highlighting a carbon-neutral house building process. Collaborated with clients, contractors, and relevant stakeholders to ensure seamless execution and delivery of the project. Providing engaging drone footage to enhance the production value.
  • Volunteering - Engaged in a charitable photography project, capturing powerful images of individuals climbing Snowdon to raise funds for a national cancer charity. Demonstrated a commitment to social impact and utilised photography skills to support a worthy cause.

    • Education

    AWS Academy

    Optima IT
    (February 2023 - Present)
  • Intensive course learning AWS services.
  • Studied everything required to pass the AWS Cloud Practitioner, Solutions Architect Associate, Solutions Architect Professional and Security Speciality AWS certifications.
  • Excelled in all homework tasks (some in personal projects section) and was asked to present the projects I had done to the other students in the academy.
  • First in my cohort to pass the CCP exam.
  • Second in cohort to pass Solutions Architect Associate exam. (First in cohort with a full time job!)

    • University of Kent

    Forensic Science with a year in industry BSc Hons
    (September 2006 - July 2010)
  • Graduated with a 2:1 (Hons)
  • Completed a placement year at Quotient Bioresearch, conducting in-depth research on the ADME properties of novel developmental drugs. Utilised High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Mass Spectrometry techniques to analyse and characterise drug compounds. Collaborated effectively as a valued team member, contributing to the overall success of the research projects.

    • Berkhamsted School

    (September 2004 - July 2006)
  • 3 A Levels (Maths, Physics, French)
  • 10 GCSEs (All A*-C)

    • Skills

    AWS Systems
    • VPC
    • EC2
    • S3
    • CloudFormation
    • Route53
    • RDS
    • DynamoDB
    • SNS
    • SQS
    • IAM
    • Lambda
    • Many other AWS services
    Other Skills
    • Python (Novice)
    • Terraform (Novice)
    • Public Speaking (Experienced)
    • Teaching (Expert)
    • Microsoft Office Suite (Intermediate)
    • Photoshop (Experienced)
    • Lightroom (Experienced)
    • Premiere Pro (Intermediate)

    Interests

    Values

    Whilst it may seem strange to have a values section on a CV I believe that character is as important (if not more so) than competence. Skills can be taught but who a person is, is more indicative to how well they will function in a team. These are the core values that define me:

  • Honour - I try to honour people in all interactions (positive or negative), whether that's leadership, colleagues, those in your charge, everyone deserves to be heard, listened to (different things) and respected even if they are in opposition to your own views and thoughts.
  • Integrity - I aspire to be the same person in private as I am in public. I won't say something behind someone's back that I wouldn't equally happily say to their face. If I've made a mistake, I'll apologise and move on and I hope others will do the same.
  • Effective Communication - I have a real passion for healthy communication. So many issues seem to come through poor communication. In workplaces, families, friendships people misunderstand, mishear or don't listen. I love the power of good communication and so will regularly check in with people to see if I've misunderstood something, I ask people if they've understood what I meant by something and I'm not afraid of healthy (honouring) conflict.

    • This section could be a lot longer! But if you're interested in more just ask!


    Volunteering

    Northchurch Baptist Church

    I volunteer for my local church, running the Audio/Visual Team. Designing and implementing projection systems to ensure accessible and functional projection for Sunday Mornings. I also run the IT, supplying and setting up computers, administrating the website, managing their Miscrosoft Charity Office 365 accounts and adminstrating their shared file system (Dropbox)

    Oak Hall

    As a keen skier, for the last 10 years I have volunteered for Oak Hall, a Christian holiday company that takes guests on Summer and Winter holidays. I am a trip leader, taking 120 adults and children to Switzerland for a weeks skiing. I lead a team of 10 (instructors, chalet team and a speaker) and am the primary point of contact for all the guests. Liaising with the UK office, Swiss hotel owners, and the local ski resort.



    For Fun

    When I'm not working I love to spend time with my family (Becca and Elsie). If I get the chance we'll go wild camping and hiking (often in Wales). As mentioned above I love to ski and so will take any opportunity I can to get out on the slopes! I'm also a keen musician (drums, guitar, piano and a bit of singing) so really enjoy getting together with some friends to play music. I have a long term bucket list item of becoming a pilot so watch this space!