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(ale)xander pickering

Computer Science Student & Developer

Edmonton, AB ajamespickering@gmail.com linkedin.com/in/alexjpickering

About

Computer Science major at MacEwan University specializing in embedded systems and hardware-software integration: custom firmware, microcontrollers, CAN bus, and real-time signal processing: backed by a decade of hands-on building.

Education

Computer Science Bachelor's Degree MacEwan University · Edmonton, AB
Expected Graduation 2027
  • Introduction to Software Engineering: collaborated with three other developers to build an Android employee scheduling application while studying team-driven development and Agile/Scrum methodologies.
  • Introduction to Game Design: collaborated with three other developers to create a fully-functional, 4K rhythm game in Godot.
  • Programming Methodologies: collaborated with another developer to build a text-based action-adventure RPG using C and ncurses.
Diploma (with honors) Ross Sheppard High School · Edmonton, AB
Graduated June 2021
  • Wrote zip-nukes on the school network, got caught, cited StackOverflow + a VBA forum.
  • Maintained a steady, above-average GPA to graduate with the honors distinction in the class of 2021.

Employment Experience

Desktop Support Specialist Alberta Pensions Services Corporation · Edmonton, AB
May 2026 – Present (expected August 2026)
  • Worked fully on-site daily, handling on-the-go hardware tasks: provisioning new workstations, PXE-booting enterprise Windows onto evergreened corporate machines, and maintaining human-first client relations.
Code Sensei Code Ninjas · Edmonton, AB
September 2024 – October 2024
  • Instructed students aged 8–11 in coding fundamentals through interactive sessions using Minecraft and Roblox.
  • Taught basic programming concepts in an engaging environment tailored for younger learners.

Projects

Hardware-Integrated Vehicle Telemetry (University Capstone) MacEwan University
2025
  • Designed and implemented a hardware-software bridge between a 2011 VW Jetta dash cluster and the BeamNG.drive simulation platform.
  • Engineered a real-time telemetry interface using custom firmware and microcontroller integration to mirror in-game vehicle data onto physical automotive hardware.
  • Achieved millisecond-level latency and seamless synchronization between digital and analog systems for an immersive physical driving experience.
ChatGPT-powered TI-84 Calculator Personal Project
2026
  • Soldered a Pico W wireless mainboard to a headphone cable to bridge a TI-84 to a remote server.
  • Engineered a real-time interface with custom firmware to mirror calculator state to the server bidirectionally.
  • Implemented a custom wire protocol (bit-banging the DBUS of the 2.5mm aux port) with negligible transport time, keeping responses on pace with the web version of GPT.

Community & Volunteer Leadership