STEM SUSSEX

What is your background in STEM?

I believe I’m slightly unusual in that I sit on the fence between artist & technician.  I have a lot of creativity in me, but also a lot of the inquisitive mindset common in those in the world of STEM.  At school I was notedly average at pretty much everything, getting C’s at the STEM subjects.  I didn’t immediately take a particular interest, except I knew I enjoyed using computers.  Like a lot of boys, I also thought robots and electronic things were cool.  At college I took a BTEC in Computer Studies, which looked at computers on quite a broad level, not specialising in any area.  I enjoyed this and built upon it in my spare time, building my own machines and creating networks, whilst also designing websites and also discovering photography and visual technologies to feed my creative side.

I picked up a camcorder to film my sister’s wedding and began to start shooting and editing videos, this led on to vision mixing and volunteer work at many large events where I also used my computer skills to create animations and graphics for on-screen use.  It’s only been the last 18 months that I’ve become an IT Engineer professionally, but I’m loving it and my skills are growing rapidly.

Tell us a bit about your job history

After leaving college I was unemployed for several months, but during this time volunteered as a photojournalist for a council-run youth work magazine.  I then spent 2 years as an administrator for an insurer before marrying and moving to Sussex.  I then spent 6 months as a contractor for Sussex Police, as a liaison and advisor between them and a software developer, to create a new risk assessment/management tool before moving on to another administrative position in CCLI.  Three years later, and having spotted my potential, CCLI created a new position within IT where I’ve now been for 18 months.

Alongside all of these jobs I work as a semi-pro in visual media as a photographer, videographer and graphic designer – all self taught skills, ranging from family portraits to event posters and flyers to music videos and big screen video coverage at live concerts and events.

Were you able to find a job easily when you wanted to?

I’ve been fortunate enough to have not had much trouble.  After college I was still supported by my parents & enjoyed the freedom, so didn’t look too hard.  When it became a need I concentrated my efforts and found jobs without too much difficulty.

What do you do at the moment (in broad terms)?

My main role is as a helpdesk technician and co-ordinator; to support the IT needs of staff in their daily work within CCLI’s UK, German, Dutch and South African offices.  This varies from ‘my mouse doesn’t work’ to working on the main servers for the organisation, or designing and creating databases or processes to simplify administrative tasks.  I am also often asked to use my visual media skills, e.g. at the moment I’m designing and creating a media pack, containing electronic leaflets and other information  to be given on a CD to organisations.

What skills do you use in your job?

Mainly problem solving.  Sometimes I need maths, and I always need inter-personal skills (largely diplomacy…).

Give some examples of things you do in your day to day work

My days are never quite the same.  One day I’m knee deep in photocopier parts, the next I’m editing a website, the next connecting remotely to our users in South Africa to fix a payroll software error.

How has your perception of STEM changed when moving between education and work?

I have never been an academic.  Education couldn’t end soon enough for me, hence why I major in experience over qualifications!

As soon as I got into the ‘real’ world, as some term it, where I had to apply STEM to actual situations, it got interesting for me.  Theories and hypothetic situations in a classroom bored me, but getting my hands dirty and actually creating something, or making something work gives me a buzz.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am a Youth Worker and Worship Band Leader at the church I attend, which takes up much of my extra time.  I also enjoy photography, watching movies and playing on my Xbox.