Our December spotlight shines on Cael Marquard from South Africa. Cael is a Computer Science postgraduate student at the University of Cape Town and a part-time software developer at SADiLaR.
About Cael
🎼 What is your favourite song?
📚 Can you describe your background and your current role?
What did you study?#
I studied a BSc in Computer Science and Xhosa Communication at UCT, and I should graduate soon from my Honours in Computer Science at UCT too. After that, I will be starting a Masters by dissertation in Computer Science also at UCT.
What is the title of your current role(s)?#
I’m soon to be an MSc student in Computer Science at UCT, and I am a developer (independent contractor) for SADiLaR.
Give a one-sentence summary of what you do in these roles#
At SADiLar, I work on software for terminology management and higher education support, and in my studies at UCT I research machine learning for African languages.
💼 Describe a typical workday… Expand specifically on the amount of time you spend coding
How much time do you spend coding?#
When doing my part-time work for SADiLaR, probably 90%, and when working on my studies, maybe 50-60%.
How many projects do you work on?#
Two for SADiLaR, likely one for my MSc, and another one (IsiXhosa.click) in addition.
Give some keywords that summarise the topics of your projects.#
Lexicography, OER, linguistics, natural language processing, terminology management, web development
How often do you work with non-coding researchers?#
I don’t think I have before!
Work & Research
🏫 Tell us more about the organisation where you work?
What is their primary objective?#
I’m new and part-time at SADiLaR, but as I understand, it is to support research in languages and more broadly digital humanities. At UCT, the focus of the Computer Science Department is a balance of research and teaching.
🖥️ If you are currently involved in research software development, please tell us a little bit about it?
What languages do you use?#
Mostly Python for research software
What is the name and purpose of the software?#
I’m working on LwimiLinks for my contract at SADiLaR. Currently I haven’t started my Masters yet, so I’m not 100% sure what the software would be.
Do you do most of the development alone or do you work as part of a team? Tell us more?#
I think about 50-50. At SADiLaR I work in a team, whereas for my studies it is individual.
Do you develop the software mainly for your own use or do others use it too?#
I think it’s a mix of both. It’s motivating to write something that I’ll use myself, but I also like to see others get value out of it.
Community & Reflection
💡 Where do you get training and support?
Which communities of practice are you part of?#
I think only this one, RSSE Africa.
What training has had an impact on your current career?#
I think that my undergrad and honours degrees in computer science really deepened my ability to comprehend and implement complex algorithms. Before, I knew how to program, but I feel better equipped to deal with novel research tasks than before.
Work & Research
💭 Do you see yourself as an academic, researcher, software engineer, technician…? All of it? Something else? A mix of one or two terms?
Community & Reflection
⛔ What kind of barriers do you face in your work?
😍 What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
🆘 What would make things easier for you and support you in your work?
🔭 What are you looking forward to next year?
About Cael
💬 Please share the most helpful career advice you’ve received that you want to share with other Africans in similar roles.