2017 - HAPPINESS AND IN MY CONTROL

So here is the plan… I have just turned 46 and it's the start of a new year.

The most common question I have been asked since I was made redundant last year is “What are you going to do?”

“I'm going back to school to learn to be a Software Programmer” has been my response for the last few months and has worked well but the reality is I finish my PDA in Software Development in just 3 weeks' time. That takes up January and the question is back.

So what next?

It's odd how we define ourselves by what we do for a Job and who we work for.

In reality, I would like to say my main job is being Dad. It is the thing that I will be spending my most time doing for at least the next 10 years (and beyond). So Dad is what I'm doing next and in the time when the boys are at school I’d like to do many things:

My brainstorm came up with some really good ideas that in an ideal world money is no object I’d be up for. However, I need to be realistic, after all my main job is Dad

So my actual plan has 3 parts.

1. - Get a New Job
Apply for a new job at a small startup/design agency in Aberdeen. The reality of finishing my PDA is a 6-month average wait for a Cohort to get a coding job (***edited - 6 is the time it takes half the Code Clan cohorts to start a job - but it's weeks, not months***). This number is based on a job in Edinburgh so in Aberdeen, this could be longer in the current climate.

So Ideally in a job, I want:

• to be able to help build a business
• to have the effort I put in be directly related to how the business performs
• to be using my PDA and expanding my coding skills but still using my existing control skills
• to be designing websites or apps
• to be creative (I like building things)

This is my first choice... I would like to be part of something and have colleagues to see and work with each day. However, applying for a new job seems to be a different ball game these days. I have applied for a few recently, and companies (mainly agencies) do not bother acknowledging your application or even getting back to you.

One company came back to me but refused to tell me why my application had been unsuccessful as it was not company policy to do so, is that somewhere I would like to work?

Also, recent advice is to spend a lot of time tailoring applications to job vacancies. I spent a day applying for a job I really fancied and was well qualified to do but after only 5 minutes of emailing my application, I received a negative response.

So if the average is 6 months to get a new job I’ll use the time wisely and in appropriate amounts.

2. - Start a freelance business - Udny Solutions

A pipe dream for many years was to start my own business, however, I grew up with my Dad who had his own business and I know how hard it can be so I am cautious. But hey if I have time on my hands why not get something started. I have had www.udnysolutions.co.uk parked for a while now.

So what would Udny Solutions do? I have a few skills I can offer and see what happens.

• Small business web design and update service
• Technical author for ops manuals and tech documents
• Human-machine interface design and evaluation
• Help and advice in getting chartered
• I also have a couple of app ideas that I need to develop now that I have the skills.

3. - Expand and formalize Udny DesignsI have had a small side hustle for a few years now. Its low income mainly donations via commissions and craft fairs to help with therapy for my youngest Son. Thomas was born with Cerebral Palsy and requires help with his motor skills. He attends a brilliant school Craighalbert Center in Cumbernauld. As a parent, I have to fund this myself.

Udny Designs has been covering this for 2 years now and has been going well (we are already on track for this year)

So the plan here is to expand and formalize it into a real company. Adding to the website, making it easier for people to order items, and have some additional products. All to help Thomas. (www.UdnyDesigns.co.uk)

So that's my plan. I'm thinking long-term here. By 2026 I'll be 55, Jamie will be 18 and Thomas will be 16. Who knows by then it may be ‘Tuckwell and Sons’ making and selling hoverboards

Anyway happy new year and all the best for 2017, for me it may not work out as planned above but it's been a great exercise to spend this week planning out and brainstorming.

You best get cracking, I've just taken delivery of a 2017 MacBook Pro as I need to give the Code Clan one back at the end of the month.

It has been with me now for over 4 months and will be difficult to let it go, Seems I'm fully converted to Apple

2016 - A GOOD YEAR WITH ONE TINY EXCEPTION

So to get the exception out of the way first. Redundancy! After a number of odd events, I found myself at risk in the 3rd round of redundancies at Aker Solutions Aberdeen.

I'd been there for 23 years and for the most part, had a great time. It was a great company to work for. However, in the year up to redundancy, the cracks were showing, Little in the way of new or interesting work, a lack of any real direction in the department I worked for, and a total lack of leadership.

So on the day after I was put at risk, or should I say my ‘position’ was put at risk, I was asked to work overtime, work the weekend and cancel a week's holiday…

So it was time to take some control back.

I could possibly have put up more of a fight and argued but I was done. It's a strange feeling having to give up something you had worked for and enjoyed for so long.

The timing couldn't have been better. It was the start of the school summer holidays and I had as much free time as I wanted to spend with my boys (Jamie 8 and Thomas 5). We had a brilliant summer riding bikes, playing in the garden, playing with Lego, going to the park, and camping. I noticed quickly my health was improving, I was sleeping better and generally feeling good…was I ill?

During the summer I also attended some career events and met with a few people who made some good suggestions as to what to do next.

Become a teacher? Yeah, that sounds good where do I sign. I applied and was rejected! I don't have higher English. Unfortunately 30 odd years ago when I was planning to become an Engineer I chose Technical Drawing over Higher English. The rejection letter was interesting in that it had quite a few grammar errors in it which made me laugh, My English isn't the best but hey I was going to be teaching computer programming.

Work for me? I attended a number of brilliant training courses run by the Business Gateway in Aberdeen. With the theme of Digital Boost, they provide free courses that help with setting up your own business. They also provide a coach to help you through the process. I have one waiting on the sidelines till I'm ready.

Go back to School? I found out about a facility in Edinburgh called CodeClan that offers a 16-week software development boot camp. This sounded like a good way to bring my software and coding skills back up to scratch. Learn Ruby, Java, and Javascript. So on the same morning, I applied for both CodeClan and the Transition Training Fund (TTF). The TTF provides funding of up to £4000 for redundant oil-related workers to help with retraining.

I was invited for an interview with CodeClan and had to provide further info to the TTF to back up my application. As it happens I was offered a place on Cohort 7 at CodeClan and secured my funding on the same morning. So if you have read my other blog posts you will already know this is what I decided to do for the next 4 months.

So I am writing this on New Year's Eve 2016 and am very thankful for the year I have had.


I have a brilliant family, a supporting wife, and two fantastic boys who are growing into brilliant little humans.

I have met so many new people this year, my fellow students at CodeClan, and people at Business Gateway, reconnected with some old friends and met some new ones. My health is better, I'm sleeping well and enjoying life.

I am super excited about what 2017 will bring. I have a plan and will go through that next week… Watch this space.