Technology • Systems • Operations

Michael Rutherford

Computer Science graduate and technical professional who enjoys solving problems, improving systems, working with data, and helping people navigate technology.

Systems Thinking Technical Support Data & SQL Process Improvement Software & Automation
Austin, Texas

I am interested in roles where technology, people, and practical problem solving overlap. My background combines a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science with hands-on technical support experience and independent work building software, data tools, simulations, and user-facing applications.

Areas of interest

Business Analysis · Systems Analysis · Implementation · Operations · Data & Reporting · Project Coordination · Quality Assurance · IT & Security · Technical Account Management

About

I earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Southern New Hampshire University in 2024 and an Associate's degree in Computer Science from Austin Community College in 2021.

From 2023 to 2024, I worked as a Technical Support Advisor for Apple via KellyConnect, troubleshooting technical problems and helping customers resolve issues clearly and efficiently. I am currently working as a Technical Support Advisor for Inktavo.

Alongside my professional work, I build independent projects that require me to understand a problem, design a solution, work with data and software, test the result, and communicate what I built. My technical background includes Python, Ruby, JavaScript, SQL, C/C++, Linux, web development, and desktop application development.

I particularly enjoy work that sits between technology and its real-world users: understanding requirements, troubleshooting systems, improving processes, validating data, documenting solutions, and making complicated things easier to use.

Experience

Technical Support Advisor

Inktavo

Current
  • Diagnose and resolve technical issues for users in a real-world production environment.
  • Translate technical problems into clear, practical explanations for non-technical users.
  • Investigate problems systematically rather than relying on trial-and-error fixes.
  • Work within existing software, workflows, and business processes to reach reliable outcomes.

Technical Support Advisor

Apple via KellyConnect

2023–2024
  • Provided technical support and troubleshooting for a broad range of customer issues.
  • Analyzed symptoms, identified likely causes, and guided users through solutions.
  • Communicated technical information clearly while maintaining a strong customer experience.

Open-Source Contributor

Solus Project

Early project contributor

As an early volunteer team member for the Solus Project Linux distribution, I contributed to software components including the text editor and a prototype rewrite of the operating system installer.

Core Capabilities

Analysis & Problem Solving

Troubleshooting, root-cause thinking, requirements awareness, logical analysis, process evaluation, and systematic problem solving.

Systems & Technology

Software development, Linux, databases, web applications, desktop applications, version control, and technical environments.

Data & Validation

SQL, CSV/data handling, validation logic, data-quality checks, scripting, and building tools that make errors easier to identify.

Communication

Explaining technical concepts clearly, working with users, documenting solutions, and translating technical problems into practical actions.

Technical Toolkit

Python Ruby JavaScript SQL C/C++ Rust HTML/CSS Rails Linux Git Docker React Node.js PySide6 / Qt NumPy Pillow

Selected Work

A selection of independent projects demonstrating software development, data validation, user-focused design, experimentation, and systematic problem solving.

Silvalide

Python / Desktop Software

A desktop application that emulates the visual characteristics of analog film on digital images. Built with Python, NumPy, Pillow, and PySide6, with multiple selectable image-processing presets.

Demonstrates: application design, image processing, Python development, GUI development, and translating a concept into a usable tool.

Scrybin

Python / User Experience

A minimalist desktop note-taking application with customizable themes, a distraction-free mode, and basic editing tools. Built with Python and PySide6.

Demonstrates: user-centered design, requirements thinking, interface development, and independent project ownership.

Melody Grid

Web Application

An interactive web application for creating and playing melodies and chords through an 8×8 musical grid. Includes scale selection, tempo controls, randomization, clearing, and desktop/mobile support.

Demonstrates: interactive application development, interface design, state management, and cross-device usability.

Microbe Simulator

Simulation / JavaScript

An interactive simulation modeling different types of microbes and their interactions. The application handles movement, collisions, infection, reproduction, lifespans, and real-time statistics.

Demonstrates: modeling, logical systems, real-time state changes, debugging, and translating rules into working software.

Conway's Game of Life

Simulation / Python

An interactive implementation of Conway's Game of Life with controls for playing, pausing, resetting, randomizing, and adjusting simulation speed, along with simulation statistics.

Demonstrates: algorithmic thinking, simulation, state management, interactive controls, and analytical curiosity.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Southern New Hampshire University · 2024

Associate's Degree in Computer Science

Austin Community College · 2021

Let's connect.

I am interested in opportunities where analytical thinking, technical knowledge, communication, and practical problem solving can make a measurable difference.