Career Profile of  Michael O Callaghan, Senior Software Analyst / Developer,

DOB - 1978

How many years have you been in IT?

7 Years

Did you do a degree, if so, which type and where?

I followed a degree and ended up finishing my Diploma and then heading off to Belgium and training myself on the job. I was lucky to have made this choice as market conditions were perfect for my situation and helped me to gain a foothold in experience being a graduate at the time.

What was your 1^st job in IT?

C++ Developer for an insurance company in Brussels, Belgium.

Would you recommend grads to travel after college or get work experience first?

I would highly recommend doing both! I travelled and trained myself on the job. I got to see new countries and live the life of Reilly. Highly recommend it. Especially with countries like Australia where they are currently screaming out for 3^rd level trained IT people.

Have you worked abroad and if so, where and for how long?

Most of my IT experience was in Belgium with two positions there giving me good all round experience, I deliberately picked small companies ie staff of less then 50 people, due to the exposure to all areas in the IT sector they can give. I held the role of ASP developer, Database administrator, Helpdesk support, Local Administrator, Troublshooter and many more and all in one job!! It gave me a good feel for where my strengths lay and what I was good at.

What was your biggest career break and why?

Microsoft Dublin, because of there reputation. I then found out that all companies small and large have the same problems both political and personal. I enjoyed working there and had a great time with the people that were there too. A good experience.

Describe your current role in brief.

I just finished working a contract for the Queensland Department for Housing as a .NET developer. Leading the design and upgrade of a system that was implemented in NET and needed an upgrade to a web based system. Very interesting and also with it being my first Public sector job it gave a good insight to the difference between Public and Private sector work. Public = relaxed and Private = Not relaxed!

Are you currently on Permanent or Contract status.

Contract.

Which do you prefer in general and why?

At the moment due to my travels around the world contracting is perfect high income and flexible dates.

What trends do you see happening in the next 18 months - 3 years in your specific area of expertise.

I don’t have a feel for Ireland’s current IT sector due to my travels, but in Australia it is just start to pick up like it did for Ireland. There is a serious need for well trained people especially in the IT sector. I had 6 jobs in my first week of looking offered to me!! They really need people over here.

What advice would you give to grads / what would you have done differently if you could “reel back the years” career wise.

I would change absolutely nothing! I was lucky in the sense that I wouldn’t stay in a job I didn’t like. I would be honest with my employer with my expectations and ask them of theirs. This in hindsight really helped avoid any misinterpretations as to what was expected from me and what I expected from them. Honesty is a great quality in this business.

What areas of technology would you advise less experienced IT people to focus / get trained up in the coming years.

Join a small company and learn form the bottom up. Even if it originally means that you would be in support as to development. Once you’re in the door you can create positions that you really want. I have seen it done so many times!

Out of 10, are you happy in your choice of career in IT and if so why?

10 but will include music with IT too as I love this area too.!!

I am happy cause it taps into my love for creating and designing things! I am a creative and artistic person and love to express that through IT and music.

What is your favourite top 1-2 technical resource websites ?

www.4guysfromRolla.com  and www.devguru.com  are very good, Don’t forget GOOGLE!

Top of Page