Max Dickson Developer
Email
[email protected]
Location
Christchurch, New Zealand
GitHub
https://github.com/mdi48
Phone
+64223860296
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-dickson-5080a7248/
https://mdi48.github.io/
Profile

I am a passionate Computer Science graduate with hands-on experience in full-stack development, focusing on creating dynamic web applications using React, Django, and PostgreSQL alongside experience in utilizing Agile methodologies to deliver products in a team environment. I am excited to bring my problem-solving skills and growth mindset to a dynamic tech team, and I am interested in building efficient, scalable solutions while continuing to expand my knowledge in cutting-edge technologies. References are available on request.

Work Experience
2025/02 – present

Independent Study

Self-employed

I am currently taking this period of unemployment to undertake independent study opportunities in several fields that I felt were interesting, such as cloud services (specifically AWS), AI/ML foundations, and web scraping.

2024/10 – 2025/01Christchurch (remote), NZ

Freelance Web Developer

Fiverr

I decided to start doing freelance work on Fiverr as a web developer in October while searching for employment. I decided to put this on hold for the time being as I have not found enough clients seeking out my help to justify focusing on this over personal projects.

Christchurch (remote), NZ

Tutor

Self-employed

I tutored high school graduates in Python programming over the summer so that they would have an easier time when the introductory courses in university began.

Christchurch, NZ

General Assistant

Creative Junk

Aided in cleaning, packing, and unloading supplies for Creative Junk, a small arts and crafts store.

Education
Christchurch, New Zealand

Bachelor of Science

University of Canterbury

Major in Computer Science, Minor in Philosophy.

Courses taken include: Python programming, Data Structures & Algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming, Databases, Human-Computer Interaction, Formal Languages & Compilers, Software Design, etc.

Skills
Frontend

HTML/CSS(Tailwind), React(Next.js), UI/UX Design

Databases

MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite

Languages

C, C#, Command Line(Bash, Powershell), Python, Java, JavaScript(TypeScript), Prolog

Other

Compiler Design, Experience with DSA, Formal Languages, Knowledge of various Design Patterns, OS knowledge(Linux, Windows) Prototyping, Testing(Jest, Mockito), Usability Testing, User Research

Backend

Django, GraphQL, Node(Express), REST

Tools

Agile(Kanban, Scrum), Cloud Computing(AWS), Docker, Git, Markdown, Notion, UML(Mermaid)

Professional Qualities

Excellent Written Communication Skills, Growth Mindset, Perseverant, Responsive Communicator, Self-paced Learner, Team Player

Projects
2025/08 – Present

Learning Colemak Touch-Typing

I've put my idle game and Discord clone on hold for now as I have started learning to touch-type (something I never learned at school), using the Colemak keyboard layout rather than the traditional Qwerty layout. I decided to use this layout instead due to its superior ergonomics, though it has still been quite difficult to adjust to. I have decided to list this as a project as this will undoubtedly take more time than a simple tutorial for a new language will, and will take a fair amount of consistent practice that together I feel justifies listing it as a project itself.

2025/06 – present

Philosophy Idle Game (on hiatus)

JavaScript, HTML, CSS

A very simple idler game that I am currently creating as a way to make learning a very difficult subject fun and easy for people. It works akin to your standard idler, except you generate "wisdom" instead of gold. Clicking generates wisdom, and you can use it to purchase a variety of upgrades that will unlock a variety of new ideas. Philosophy was my minor, so I felt this could be a good way to educate people on the subject while making it fun and combining it with my major.

2025/06 – present

Discord Clone (on hiatus)

TypeScript, Prisma, Express, Tailwind, React

A simplified Discord clone that showcases real-time communication features, authentication, server structures, and user lists per channel. Currently on a semi-hiatus as I have decided to take some time to learn touch-typing on the Colemak-DH keyboard layout.

2025/03 – 2025/05

Web Scraper for E-commerce Price Tracking

Python, Flask, React, SQLite, Playwright

My current project is a Web Scraper designed to track the prices on various e-commerce sites (focusing on Mightyape as my primary example for now). Utilizing this tool will allow users to keep track of prices for multiple items they are interested in, so they can figure out when the best time to buy them is. Currently offline as it requires a dedicated scraping browser that I do not wish to pay for as it is mere proof of concept.

2025/02 – present

FlappAI Bird

Python(PyGame), AI(NEAT)

A clone of Flappy Bird that uses a neural network (specifically the NEAT algorithm) to learn from mistakes of previous attempts. This was done as a simple way of familiarizing myself with the basics of neural networks and aspects of data science in Python. I plan on keeping this as an ongoing project so I can further refine aspects of it in future (such as keeping records of data, for example).

2024/07 – present

Personal Portfolio

HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Tailwind

A personal portfolio site that I started making as a means of advertising myself in a more stylish fashion, along with practicing UI/UX design further.

2024/08 – 2024/09

FoodFinder

Next.js, MongoDB, GraphQL, Jest, Docker, OAuth

A simple web app to help you find food fast!

A simple, proof-of-concept web app written using Next.js, MongoDB, and GraphQL, with additional testing via Jest and containerization handled with Docker. Makes use of OAuth to log users in via Github so that they can add a variety of restaurants to and from their wishlist. Jest is also used so as to evaluate the header via snapshotting, meanwhile GraphQL is used to allow the user to make the changes to their wishlist.

2024/03 – 2024/05

Petition Site

TypeScript

A website for users to create and sign petitions. Written using Express for the backend, and React for the frontend. Received a result of 87.33/100 for the project as a whole.

2023/08 – 2023/10

Fitness App Prototype

User Research, Usability Testing, Prototyping, Cognitive Psychology

Worked in a six-person team designing a fitness app as part of the University of Canterbury's COSC368 course. This did not involve coding the app, but rather was based around prototyping and user evaluation, where we would work to deliver a final product that would be easy for the user to navigate. Our group received an overall score of 94/100 for this project. Designs are available on request.

2023/04 – 2023/05

Sports Tournament

Java

A single-player strategy game with a sports theme and an Oregon Trail inspired aesthetic that is written in Java as part of UC's SENG201 course. I worked closely with a peer in the creation of this, with us receiving marks of 90/100 for our work.

2022/05 – 2022/06

Language Compiler

Python, Formal Languages, Compiler Design, Code Testing

I designed a language compiler in Python for a limited programming language as part of the University of Canterbury's COSC261 course. This compiler is comprised of a scanner, a parser, and a generator. I tested the compiler via writing custom programs, as a means of ensuring error-free functionality. I received an overall score of 88/100 for my work here.