Chris S.
About me
| Chris S. | |
| Electronics | |
| Electronics | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Goodricke | |
| 1993 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Engineer | |
| The @ Company | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Digital and IT services | |
| Small business (0-49 employees) | |
| 2021 |
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A day in the life of a Engineer in the United Kingdom
Every day there are challenges, some that we can see coming from way off, and others that pop up and turn days on their head. But that's part of the fun of building something revolutionary.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
The @ Company are building a platform for applications that give people control of their own data.
What do you do?
Everything from coding to coaching. Making the platform more resilient and scalable, and helping colleagues get things done more efficiently and effectively.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
It's been a very non linear path, where I kept on choosing new things because they seemed interesting and rewarding.
I've gone from being an officer in the Royal Navy, to a .com consultant, to a banking IT manager, to corporate finance, to a banking Chief technology officer (CTO), to a startup CTO, to an IT services company CTO, to my present role.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Very different. I was sponsored by the Royal Navy through my undergraduate course, and expected to spend a full career with the Navy until retirement. But that's not how things worked out, and I've had a lot of fun (and learned a lot) doing other things.
Describe your most memorable day at work
11 Sep 2001 - I was on a conference call with colleagues in New York when one of them said "an airplane has gone into the World Trade Centre"
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
Every day there are challenges, some that we can see coming from way off, and others that pop up and turn days on their head. But that's part of the fun of building something revolutionary.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
We operate a 'flat company' culture without a traditional hierarchy, and the company is virtual by default - so no office. How that works in practice is a work in progress.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
My main thing was Officer Training Corp (OTC) over in Leeds, which helped me learn about leadership.
What would you like to do next with your career?
I might do another startup, but I'd also like to move into non exec roles on company boards.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Learning isn't the same thing as education, so find your love for learning beyond education.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
Careers in the Royal Navy, financial services, and tech, and how those organisations hire people.
Next steps...
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