Click on each link to read about each Ideagen ambassador. Discover how they got to where they are today, the skills they use and the most exciting things about their jobs. Schools in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can book our Ambassadors to hear this first hand.
Sales Manager
How I got here
I joined the tech industry by pure chance, having been made redundant from my previous role. I was experiencing a huge change in my personal life, and I needed a new challenge, something to push me to my limits and out of my comfort zone!
In my first role in tech I was one of the first female leaders in a business and it was my job to manage a team who were all men. I learnt so much, I really proved myself and I achieved some great results too. This role gave me a taste for tech and I knew that tech was where I belonged. I then applied for the role at Ideagen.
The skills I use
Communication skills are really important in my job, along with building strong relationships with people from inside and outside of the business.
My job requires focus, commitment, a willingness to succeed, and a sense of humour (at all times). I am always pushing myself to achieve that extra sale. I am a good leader; I am fair, consistent and get a real buzz out of supporting individuals in my team to be the best version of themselves.
The exciting stuff
My job challenges me every single day. When one month’s target is achieved, it is straight onto the next month to aim for even better results. When one person in my team delivers, the rest drive themselves to deliver even more! The team I work with are amazing, they are ambitious, confident, and strive to improve month on month. They make this job for me; it is an absolute pleasure to work in this team!
Career tips for young people
Believe in yourself, set goals, and go and exceed them! You can achieve big things if you are focused, confident and ambitious. Be true to yourself, never be afraid to ask for help as the right support can make a difference. If anyone underestimates you, prove them wrong.
Ask me about
A career in sales. Overcoming fears of insecurity, lack of confidence and believing in yourself.
Senior Product Manager
How I got here
I got here by being myself and being surrounded by amazing people. When I graduated from university I started my working life as a Graduate Quality Engineer in a small company in Nottingham that made aerospace parts. I gained experience in many roles including managing the quality inspection department, leading projects for Rolls-Royce plc, travelling to America, and gaining new professional qualifications.
I built up a good relationship with someone who wanted to set up their own software company and they asked if I would help them, which I did. I became a Director of this business and it was sold to Ideagen in 2016. That’s how I’m here now, helping Ideagen as a Senior Product Manager to develop the products and help the business to grow.
The skills I use
My job relies on me being able to make and keep relationships with people. I use different communication skills, digitally and in person, to come across as professional, friendly and trustworthy. I use logical thinking, industry knowledge and I involve all departments in the business to help me to manage our products. I like to be a good leader and influence people. Collaboration is a skill I always use, which is a fancy word for teamwork. I use creativity to come up with new ideas.
The exciting stuff
I love my job because I get to mix with different people from all over the world from the tech industry and I get to build on my previous experience. My job is exciting because I work with amazing positive people and fantastic customers.
Career tips for young people
Be yourself, be polite, smile and take the opportunities you have. Be disciplined and always strive to do your best. You can do anything you put your mind to. Work hard to keep a positive mindset.
Ask me about
Sport – how I use the skills and mindset I have learnt from swimming and triathlon to be successful at work. My job role and how working in the tech industry is for cool people.
Business Development Representative
How I got here
When I was younger I was set to go down the route of a professional athlete. After lots of injury which I endured throughout my studies, I ended up failing my A-levels and headed to college to complete a BTEC in Sport. Fast forward, I now have a degree in Sport Management and a Masters in Sport Science. Upon completion of my studies I was still unsure of what career path I wanted to go down. At the time I was working in a gym and I got a message from one of my friends who is a current employee at Ideagen saying “you should apply for this job you’d be perfect for it”. So, here I am today a Business Development Representative specialising in the Healthcare and Life Science industry.
The skills I use
My role as a Business Development Representative relies on me on using different forms of communication to develop and implement new growth opportunities within organisations. I require a high level of self-motivation and excellent interpersonal skills to connect with potential customers and talk them through the benefits of a product or service.
The exciting stuff
I love the friendly competition within my team, it provides a healthy dynamic when it comes to reaching individual and team targets. No two days are the same, I get to speak to lots of different people which keeps me on my toes - and just like that it’s 5pm before you know it.
Career tips for young people
I never knew what career path I wanted to go down, and it can be stressful seeing other people around you doing their own thing when you are still unsure. Be driven and stay in your own lane and everything will fall into place one way or another. If you are ever unsure of anything always ask or you’ll never know the answer!
Ask me about
My career. Sales, being a confident communicator, career change, setbacks, life after university, sport, business and management
Software Development Team Lead
How I got here
I enjoyed learning at school but sometimes the people made it difficult. I changed school due to bullying, and even at the new one there were students who made me feel bad just for being myself. By the time I got to A-Levels I was a bit burned out on education so I dropped out after the first year.
I spent my late teens and early 20s working in various shops selling everything from wine, to video games and even televisions. At 24 I took a temporary data entry job that somehow grew into a career in logistics. I had a manager who became a mentor and thanks to his support I was able to continue working and also study full time for a degree.
I’d always been into computers so it made sense to start an ‘IT’ degree, then during my studies I found a passion for programming and switched over to ‘Computer Science’. Since graduating in 2018 I’ve progressed quickly in my developer career thanks to the head start my prior life and work experience gave me.
The skills I use
Being a software developer is like solving lots of problems, so approaching the task with a logical mindset helps. Usually a Google search is needed but knowing what to search is the real talent!
Having good communication skills means I can talk to all the different people that are involved in a project and also helps me be a mentor to my developers.
The exciting stuff
My favourite thing about coding is getting to create something from nothing. It never stops being cool to see a webpage change because of something you just did. The world runs on technology so there is no limit to the type of job and industry you can work in. I’ve worked in aerospace, vehicle tracking, healthcare and even car sales.
Career tips for young people
We learn and grow throughout our life, it doesn’t stop at school. Don’t sell yourself short and it’s never too late to change things up. Be committed, ask questions and most of all, be honest.
Ask me about
Women in tech, software development, imposter syndrome.
Senior Digital Account Manager
How I got here
I started off my career in the events industry, within sales and event planning roles. Covid came along and hit the hospitality and events industries hard. This caused me to rethink my future career path and gave me the push to take on a new challenge in a brand-new industry I had never really considered until this time. Ideagen recognised my transferable skill set and gave me the opportunity to shine in an account management role. During my 18 months at Ideagen I have received a promotion to Senior Account Manager and working for Ideagen has opened my eyes to the potential opportunities I have to grow and progress.
The skills I use
Working within account management you need strong relationship building and communication skills, as you work with customers on a daily basis. Working as part of a team to collaborate and share ideas, you are encouraged to be creative and think outside of the box. Finally, a key skill I need for my role is resilience – not giving up when faced with challenges and having the ability to solve problems effectively.
The exciting stuff
My job allows me to work with customers from around the world on exciting projects to help businesses improve their quality standards. I get to experience working with customers across a variety of interesting industries such as aerospace, life sciences, healthcare and aviation to name a few.
Career tips for young people
Challenges are what make life interesting. Don’t be afraid of the unknown, you’ll be surprised at what you are able to achieve.
Ask me about
My career. Being a young woman working in the Tech industry. There have been less women than men in tech in the past, and one of the reasons for this is young people not being aware of the options available – which is something we hope to change.
Sales Director
How I got here
I joined Ideagen after a few years’ experience working in sales in various industries. Prior to that I studied at Manchester University where I achieved my MSc degree. I joined the tech and sales industry essentially by chance after applying for multiple roles upon graduating with a degree in Geography & Geology and six months work experience in the job I was working towards – that I ended up hating!
The skills I use
My role as Sales Director means I am essentially responsible for growing my area of the business, and the people within it.
There are lots of skills needed for a role within sales and I realised quite quickly during my many interviews as a graduate that sales was perfect for me as it involves many things I enjoy doing - I am very competitive, enjoy talking to people, thrive under pressure, like solving problems all with the added bonus that every day is different!
The exciting stuff
The best part of my job is the variety and pace, no two days are the same and it is never boring! One day I could wake up and take my dog for a walk and then be working from home speaking with clients and colleagues anywhere in the world and the next flying over for a conference in the US. I also really enjoy working closely with my team and supporting them to achieve their personal goals and progress through the business.
Career tips for young people
Focus on what you want to do, and if you’re not sure (like me) it is more important to be clear on what you DO NOT want to do…using this time to understand yourself and your motivations means you can work towards creating a path to a role that you enjoy so will naturally become good at!
Ask me about
My career. What is sales? The tech industry. CV’s / job applications. How to pick the right role for my skills.
Technology Solutions Apprentice
How I got here
When I left year 11 I went to sixth form and did two BTECs, one in art and one in IT. When I finished I knew that I didn’t want to go to university as I didn’t want to start my career with a large amount of debt At this time my Dad worked in apprenticeships and he opened up my mind up to the idea of doing an apprenticeship myself. I saw the apprenticeship opportunity at Ideagen and was fortunate that they offered me a position on the Digital & Technology Solutions course. It’s a degree apprenticeship so I get to complete a degree at Nottingham Trent University that is paid for by Ideagen but I also work, so I earn money and learn too.
The skills I use
My role can vary a lot as every six months I move through different departments. I often use problem solving skills, communication skills and software development specific skills such as using software version control (Git), writing code (JavaScript) and project management (Jira). Most of the time I am working in software development so I get to help to build the software that Ideagen sells.
The exciting stuff
Solving problems is definitely the best part of my job. Everyday there are new problems to solve which positively impact the software Ideagen release or positively impacts the experience of other developers working on the software.
Another exciting aspect of my job is being able to help other people, either by helping to solve existing problems or by giving advice on how to approach something new. It’s very rewarding and builds my social skills and team working skills.
Career tips for young people
Focus on your interpersonal skills just as much, if not more than the technical skills. Often employers will look for an employee that best fits their team and their values, so having good communication and team working skills will help you a lot.
A tip specific to becoming a software engineer is to never get too comfortable with your knowledge. Keep building side projects to expand your knowledge of a technology or language, to keep up to date with changes in tech.
Ask me about
My career, apprenticeships, software development, interpersonal skills & presentation skills.
Digital Solutions Apprentice
How I got here
After surviving my A level exams, I was unsure about what I wanted to do next. I decided at the last minute that university wasn’t for me and instead jumped into an apprenticeship as an event organiser. When the pandemic and lockdown hit it gave me time to reflect on my career and after enjoying my first apprenticeship so much, I decided to seek another apprenticeship in a new sector. Even though I had little to no qualifications in the technology industry Ideagen offered me a place on their Technology Solutions Degree apprenticeship as I showed a passion to learn and that’s how I got here!
The skills I use
My role is very varied as I spend time with 6 different teams in the technology department. Therefore, I have to be very flexible and open minded to be able to fit in with how each of the teams work. Communication and people skills are also important as I am constantly working with new colleagues. Time management is key for me to be able to balance university work and Ideagen work.
The exciting stuff
I love that every day in my job is different! I am getting to experience so many parts of the technology industry and work with innovative technologies like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to improve our customers experiences.
Career tips for young people
Don’t think that not having certain qualifications will hold you back. Companies like Ideagen will always consider your personality and attitude towards learning and working too. So don’t let qualifications stop you from applying for that next role!
Ask me about
My career. Apprenticeships, changing careers, choices for after college, university, coding and software development, emerging technologies, presentation skills.
Group Projects Manager
How I got here
I joined the Ideagen community in 2007. Before this I went to the Nottingham Trent Business School and gained a degree in Business Information Systems. I was lucky as I was able to get a year long placement in a software company that did web content management, so I was able to begin my career by gaining lots of experience. My career at Ideagen has progressed. I started in a Project Support role, moved up to a Project Manager, then I was a Professional Services Manager and now I am the Group Project Services Manager.
The skills I use
The main skills I use for my current role include engaging, coaching, and mentoring members of the team to support their growth and progression in their roles. It is important for me to build trust with the people I work with, to care, and to listen to people. Communicating and encouraging people is key, as this will support the direction and future of the business. A big part of my job is to analyse data to help set and achieve team targets and see how well we perform.
The exciting stuff
I am privileged to work with diverse, experienced and ambitious people across Ideagen, who always rise to the challenge of making Ideagen a success. My role allows me to lead a talented and high performing team, whilst having the opportunity to influence and implement positive change and improvements for the business.
Career tips for young people
Challenge yourself, be open minded and be willing to embrace and encourage ‘change’ throughout your development and progression. Demonstrate your commitment, resilience, and drive, and always act with integrity and honesty.
Ask me about
My career, leadership, working in tech, changes to ways of working since covid, living and growing up in Singapore and how to overcome a failed year at University!
Global Community Lead
How I got here
I had to work hard to get my career going because I was excluded from secondary school and left with nothing. As a teenager I worked in a chip shop, a shoe shop and a restaurant. I wasn’t on the right track for a few years but I’ve created a career I love now. I have a Sociology degree and a degree level qualification in careers and I’m professionally registered (on a public list of careers professionals). I joined the tech industry in 2021 after working in education for many years. Ideagen were sponsoring Nottingham Forest to build Think Big and I had a good reputation for managing projects that link schools and employers, and so I joined the tech industry.
The skills I use
My job relies on making and keeping relationships with people. I use different communication skills, digitally and in-person, to come across as professional, friendly and trustworthy. I have project management skills that allow me to multitask and plan things. I like to be a good leader and influence people. Collaboration is a skill I always use, which is a fancy word for teamwork. I use creativity to come up with new ideas. I am told I am passionate about communities and making changes.
The exciting stuff
I love my job because I get to mix with different people from all over the world from tech, football, education and many public and community organisations. I’m never bored. My job is exciting because I work with amazing positive people and we have an impact on people and the community.
Career tips for young people
Be uniquely you. Choose courses because you like them. Be brave. Build up as much of a network as you can to learn from other people and to get support to talk about your hopes for the future. Make sure you have a good reputation.
Ask me about
My career. Overcoming disadvantage, how tech is transforming all careers, how to get your career on track if you get excluded from school, skills for employment, sociology.
Test Engineer
How I got here
I am a Test Engineer and I had to overcome a lot of challenges to achieve this. I didn’t do well at school so I went to college to do a BTEC in combined studies to catch up. I started a computer studies course but I dropped out. I did short jobs in security and in shops which were not helping me to achieve anything exciting for my career. One night I had a car crash that meant I was out of work for five years. Whilst getting better I explored lots of free online tech resources from Youtube and Google, to learn about technology. I was able to gain an entry level tester job from learning like this.
The skills I use
The skills I use are very technical and allow me to give feedback on things like websites, apps and other bits of software. I use Selenium, Cypress and Postman to do testing. I need to know technical languages such as C# and Java Script too. I use my technical skills to test how a website works, how an app performs and how software behaves. I have good team working skills too.
The exciting stuff
Unlike people that make stuff, I get to break stuff (websites and apps), which is fun. I do this to find and stop any faults before final versions of software are released. I get to break in and hack an app before a potential real hacker could, so I make sure they are locked out to keep your information safe.
Career tips for young people
Don’t be afraid to try for a job, even if you think you are not ready yet. The best jobs will always catch you by surprise, so always try and aim high. Carry on learning throughout your life (not just in school or college). Everything you learn is a step to reach a better job.
Ask me about
My career. Being a test engineer, how a website works, how the internet works, jobs in tech.
Level 3 Support Engineer
How I got here
I like to think myself as a creative person which is why I chose Contemporary Arts Practice at university. I had an idea of what I thought I wanted to do but I found it challenging to settle due to moving around a lot. Lockdown gave me lots of time to think about what I wanted to do whilst finishing my masters in Textiles. Although this isn’t directly related to ‘tech’, my willingness to learn and solve problems is why Ideagen hired me as a support engineer. I have been promoted from Level 1 to Level 3 because of these skills.
The skills I use
My role requires me to be flexible and to be able multi-task because I solve problems for both clients and for the people I work with in my team. I am dyslexic, but I use my verbal and written communication skills every day. Time-management is also one of the most important skills I use. There is never a boring day as there is always something new to learn in the technology industry and being open-minded helps me to grow as a person.
The exciting stuff
The people I work with. Everyone is very friendly and happy to help when it is needed. I really struggle with confidence, and I have been encouraged and supported to go for promotions which has been great in boosting my self-belief.
Career tips for young people
Allow yourself to accept mistakes you make as this will open the door to learning opportunities that helps to build resilience, confidence, and empathy. From these learning opportunities always be the true version of yourself. Your willingness to work hard for self-growth and authenticity will be your golden key to success.
Ask me about
My career. Higher education, career change, problem solving, people skills, communication, leadership, decision making, overcoming mistakes.
Data Architect
How I got here
I joined the tech industry by accident. I wasn’t enjoying my time in sixth form, so my mum applied for a Computer Studies college course on my behalf. From there I managed to get to college and, when I qualified, I joined a relatively new company at the time called Oracle. There I worked in a lot of different tech jobs including Consultancy, Sales Support, Technical Support, and Development. I then joined a tiny company that was bought by Ideagen. Along the way, I’ve changed job role many times, usually by accident, and loved (almost) every minute of it.
The skills I use
The skill I use most is learning. Each time a new project comes up it is likely to need me to learn a new skill. You don’t need to become an expert – what you need is only a Google search away – but needing to learn something new gives you daily challenges that you still control. I also get to display a lot of persistence while attempting to solve problems.
The exciting stuff
I get to do different things on a regular basis, not always knowing where I’m going next. Sometimes it doesn’t work but that’s fine – you learn as much from something that fails as you do from things that succeed. I work with some cool people too.
Career tips for young people
Don’t be afraid to change direction if where you are going no longer feels right. You should always get to a Friday in a happy frame of mind, not hating the week just gone. If you do hate it, change it.
Ask me about
My career, having Asperger’s Syndrome, avoiding social media, embracing random change, baking.
Level 2 Support Team Leader
How I got here
I joined the tech industry as a people leader after 5 years in the telecoms industry. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I left school. I had lots of jobs like working in a pub, a factory, working as cabin crew on a plane and working abroad. I have recently got a qualification in people management which I did as an apprenticeship whilst working.
The skills I use
Communication skills – I need to be able to speak to people virtually, face to face and in writing. I adapt the language I use for the person I am speaking to. The majority of things I do involve working with other people so I use my team working skills every day. I also use analytical skills which means looking at information, understanding it and then creating ideas to make positive changes.
The exciting stuff
I love my job because I get to talk to people all day from all over the world and from lots of different teams. I learn something new every day because the tech industry is fast paced and there is always something new happening. I get to help people develop and become the best version of themselves which I find very rewarding. I also love a challenge, and there is always a target to aim for and a competition with the other teams to be the best.
Career tips for young people
No matter what, be yourself. Make decisions because it’s what you want to do, don’t be afraid to say no. Learn from mistakes and from people around you, never shy away from a challenge - you can do anything you put your mind to. Make and keep good relationships with people, you never know when you might need them in the future. Enjoy it, you spend most of your time at work so make sure you have fun as well as work hard.
Ask me about
My career journey, why tech is the industry to be in, leading people, communication, building relationships.
Commercial Manager
How I got here
Coming out of A-Levels and going to University, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do as a degree. I chose Physics to hopefully keep as many doors open as possible but after discovering how difficult this was I knew I didn’t really want to do anything specific to this area after graduating. However, my degree did give me a solid grounding in logical thinking and problem solving. This allowed me to start a role within the NHS as a Performance Analyst, before working in various roles across Pharmaceuticals and Utilities, working in Commercial focussed teams, which look at pricing and business opportunities. Around a year ago
I was hired by Ideagen as a Commercial Manager, a role which blends all of the skills I have built up over the last decade, and challenges me every day!
The skills I use
My role requires a wide range of skills, from technical knowledge to explaining to the rest of the business what I do in my job. The findings from the analysis I carry out need to be presented back to important people in the business, so they know what needs to be changed. This means communication, logical thinking and an inquisitive mind are all very important to do the role effectively.
The exciting stuff
Being faced with a problem and approaching this challenge from different angles until you find the right solution. It can be difficult at times, but when you find the thing that ultimately works, it’s a great feeling.
Career tips for young people
Do things that scare you, whether it’s presenting back to someone that is more senior than you or taking on a task that looks difficult, you will truly learn things and improve yourself by trying things outside of your comfort zone.
Ask me about
My career. University, nearly failing at university, working in different industries, what an analyst actually does, building beautiful dashboards, getting over a crippling fear of presenting.
Sales Manager
How I got here
I went to university in Sheffield to study Food & Nutrition, but after working in the food industry for a few years I realised that I just wanted to enjoy food, but not work in it. I took some time out with stress after working over 70 hours a week for a while and then joined Ideagen as a graduate in 2016. Originally, I thought the role would be temporary because I didn’t really understand what it meant to work in tech, but here I am over 6 years later!
The skills I use
I’m actually not that techie…but I can find my way around a spreadsheet. Communication and organisation are probably my key skills. I have to manage my day to fit everything in and keep my customers happy. I enjoy problem solving and working with customers to get the best outcome for them, often networking with other internal departments to achieve this.
The exciting stuff
I talk a lot, and now I get paid to do this! I speak to customers from well known brands like Arla on a daily basis. I have been at Ideagen for 6 years now, I have always had a great team around me and love team lunches on a Friday.
Career tips for young people
The tech sector was never spoken about when I was at school, so I never considered moving across until I heard about Ideagen. Don’t be afraid to try new things, or you may never find your true passion. Get a job where you are surrounded by great people, they will cheerlead you through difficult times and you spend more time at work than anywhere else!
Ask me about
My career, women in tech, finding joy in what you do, alternative paths into the tech industry, food, family difficulties and parental divorce.
Lead Product and Services Manager
How I got here
My route into technology was certainly not a straight path. After having to re-sit exams at 16, I studied Music at University and then started work as Admin Support in a Facilities Management department. This led me into health and safety and risk management where I eventually ended up running websites, databases and all other technology for that department. My current role places me as the interface between clients (technology users) and developers – interpreting the requirements of clients and passing them to developers. I then “translate” the technology and pass back to the client for them to use.
The skills I use
My role is varied as we have clients in all sectors and I need an understanding of their workplace to be able to know what they need from the software. I need to be flexible and organised and need to be able to communicate well to both the client and the developers. Other key skills are problem solving and negotiation, to be able to identify the root of the issue and agree the best way forward for all stakeholders.
The exciting stuff
I get to meet lots of people from all sorts of backgrounds, all levels of management, experience and job roles. I get to understand their businesses and work out how our software can improve things for them, and, as importantly, how they can help improve our software. I get my job satisfaction from knowing that I have helped organisations solve complex issues with technology and knowing the software I helped create is being used successfully.
Career tips for young people
Spend time working out what you want from work, where you want to be and how you can get there. Believe in yourself and accept the advice that is offered to you. Don’t let your comfort zone stop you from having great experiences and learning every day!
Ask me about
My career. Changing careers, presentation and negotiation skills, skills used in managing projects, my experience of the tech industry, different careers in tech.
Head of Internal Audit & Risk
How I got here
I recently joined a software business after working in an accountancy business and then at a major retailer within finance. I didn’t imagine I would ever work in the technology industry and it surprised me how many varied opportunities there are.
I was the first one in my family to go to university and I often worried about money. I worked in a supermarket to help while I studied. I applied for a lot of jobs in accountancy as numbers were something I liked to do.
The skills I use
I don’t do the techy stuff. I help the business to understand its risks and how to mitigate them which means I help the business to know what potential problems it might face and how to reduce their impact. I also look at how we can improve what we do.
I have many skills relating to finance, risk and auditing, however being able to question how we do things is the most important. I enjoy working with different types of people to find solutions to improve things. I’m still learning every day and I make sure I keep my skills relevant through training and talking to other people.
The exciting stuff
The best part of my job is working in different areas of the business, with lots of different people, to find solutions to improve the way we do things. Seeing the difference some changes can make and knowing that I have been involved in making them gives me a real sense of achievement.
Career tips for young people
Be honest about what you really want to do. Finding something you are proud to be part of is key. Don’t let self-doubt stop you; you are capable of achieving great things.
Talk to people about what you are interested in. People will be willing to help you or share their experiences which you can learn from.
Ask me about
My career. Finance, risk and audit. Working in tech with a non-technical background. Skills useful for employment.
Senior Digital Account Executive
How I got here.
When I left school I just wanted to start working immediately and earn some money, so I got a job as a cleaner whilst I decided what I wanted to do. Tech wasn't an industry that I thought I would end up in, as my goal was to become an Accountant following on from an accountancy apprenticeship. However, the skills I learnt through that experience were transferable to a career in Technology.
My apprenticeship taught me how to talk to and build relationships with people. It also gave me the access to see software in action and how people sold this. These things made me want a job where I could sell software too. I found an entry level job at Ideagen. This needed a degree; however, my experience was enough to get me the job without one and I now enjoy selling interesting products to customers in the tech industry.
The skills I use
My job requires a strong level of communication skills and the ability to build a good level of trust with people in my team and with customers too. This can sometimes be challenging as a lot of our calls and meetings are digital, so being polite and friendly are very important in building that trust. A high level of problem solving is also a skill I use for my own work as well as customer issues.
The exciting stuff
Within sales there is a lot of competition between people and teams which creates a very fun working environment and if, like me, you are as competitive, you will work hard to make sure you are at the top of your team. We also get to work with and talk to people around the world from lots of different industries and cultures. This is a benefit of working digitally that keeps my job exciting.
Career tips for young people
There are two things that will help you be successful: hard work and always volunteering to put yourself forward for projects and taking on extra responsibilities.
Ask me about
Anything, my career, accountancy, promotions, working in sales, how to find out what you are good at and enjoy, the importance of finding a role model.
Head of Insights and Special Projects
How I got here
I joined the tech industry after working in financial marketing for a lot of years. I have a general business degree but was always drawn towards marketing type roles, especially those involved looking at data to assess performance. Before Ideagen, I’d always worked in B2C (Business to Consumer) marketing roles and hadn’t really considered the tech industry as my next career move, mainly because I hadn’t considered how transferable my skill set would be. A friend told me about Ideagen and suggested that I speak to someone they knew who already worked here. I’m so glad they did, it made me see and appreciate new possibilities.
The skills I use
My role relies on the ability to read, research and analyse lots of different bits of information. I have to summarize this back to people in such a way that they can do something useful with it. I work with lots of different teams inside and outside of the business, so skills that I use every day are relationship building, planning, communication, negotiation, questioning and listening
The exciting stuff
I love my job because it is so varied and I get to work with such a wide range of people and teams across the business. No two days are the same and it I get to be constantly curious and inspired by the great people around me.
Career tips for young people
Try and think about what it is that you enjoy doing and choose courses that help you play to your strengths. You don’t have to have your career plan mapped out from day 1, but if you can work out what sort of things you enjoy doing and look for roles that include those. Talk to people, stay curious and ask lots of questions.
Ask me about
My career. Working in tech. Skills for employment. Research, insight and supplier management.
Level 1 Support Engineer
How I got here
I joined the tech industry at Ideagen after graduating from university. I studied at Nottingham Trent University where I achieved my BSc degree within Computing. I joined the tech industry because I have a huge passion for tech and software and I have been studying it since I was at school and college.
The skills I use
I am a software engineer at Ideagen so I use several skills in my day-to-day job . I use problem solving skills because we solve any issues a customer might face with our software; I use communication skills as we need to communicate with our customers as well as other engineers when investigating issues; I also use time management skills because we have deadlines we have to meet.
The exciting stuff
The best and most exciting thing about my job is problem solving for customers. I love investigating problems and helping all of our customers, this then keeps them happy and satisfied while using our software. I also like my job as it involves a lot of teamwork and talking to a lot of people within many different departments and teams across the business.
Career tips for young people
The best career tip I can give you is to build a big network of people as this will broaden your connections with different people in different places, who might be able to help you out or inform you of opportunities. I would also say that you should do something that you like and if you think you’re not good enough never give up as you can do anything if you keep your mind to it.
Ask me about
How technology is improving and involving rapidly, what software products I work on, what a software engineer does day to day at Ideagen and how you can get into the technology sector.
Strategic Account Manager
How I got here
I joined the tech industry after working in other jobs for about 12 years. I feel that I got here by fluke as I didn’t know the direction I wanted to go in. I didn’t have a plan to get into tech and I didn’t have the best GCSE results either. I originally started working in a customer service role and then I made my way up to a Strategic Account Manager role after a few promotions.
The skills I use
My job relies on me being able to make and keep relationships with people within all types of different businesses. I use different communication skills, digitally and in person, to come across as professional and friendly, which is needed to build trust and create strong relationships with people. Honesty and integrity play a really big part in my success.
The exciting stuff
I love my job because I get to mix with different people from all over the world and I get to learn about many different cultures from around the globe. I find it really exciting that I can help people and their businesses to grow through the use of technology.
Career tips for young people
Always be yourself and believe in what you want to do. You may find that you may change your mind from time to time on your direction, which is totally normal. Always do what makes you happy and fight for what you want no matter how hard it can seem to begin with. There is nothing better in life than self-achievement, no matter how small or big that may seem.
Ask me about
My career. How to get your career on the right track with effort and willingness with the mindset of “I can do this if I put my mind to it”. How to achieve things that you really want.
Graphic Designer
How I got here
I have a degree in Graphic Design. I wanted to follow my passion for Art & Design and turn it into a career. I am not necessarily a good illustrator or good with human drawings, but technology has helped me overcome some of my insecurities and build a successful career.
The skills I use
I work in a team of graphic designers and we are responsible for making things look pretty. I am good with design applications including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I have a good eye for art and design and I am creative. My team are responsible for creating and maintaining company branding, creating marketing campaigns, designing email campaigns and creating branding ideas for different projects. I make materials like online brochures, newsletters, logos, flyers, blog images, images for social media sites and much more. Good communication, teamwork, creativity, time management and problem solving are important skills for a good graphic designer.
The exciting stuff
I get to be creative and paint and draw things digitally. I can learn from other designers and upgrade my design skills through courses. For me, it’s more to do with problem solving and offering a meaningful solution that makes a difference. Through my design skills, I help promote the company I work for.
Career tips for young people
Be passionate about what you do and follow your heart. Be confident. Believe in yourself. Be positive and look for opportunities. Look for good design courses and follow websites like dribbble.com, behance.com and awwwards.com for inspiration. Good observation is very important in design. Look at what some of your favourite brands do, how they advertise their products, their tv adverts, their printed materials and their graphics in social media posts. If you love art and design then as they say ‘the world is your oyster’.
Ask me about
My career. Graphic design, online or university courses to pursue, design applications used for creating graphics. How to develop good design skills.
Sales Development Manager
How I got here
After finishing a business studies course at university I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future. I was working for Sainsburys and one day a customer asked me if I had ever considered a career in recruitment. I was interested in finding out more. The next week they set up an interview for me at their friends’ recruitment company. I worked in recruitment for two years and learnt some great skills. However, after the pandemic I reflected on my career and decided it was time to move on. My friend worked at Ideagen and in June 2021 he suggested I look at a job opportunity. One year, 2 promotions and countless coffee’s later and I haven’t looked back!
The skills I use
I have to use a variety of skills in my role. I manage a Team of 8 people who are the first point of contact for new customers. Communication is extremely important for my job. I have to communicate well to lead the team well. When managing a team, organisation is always at the forefront of your mind. I have to be able to not only organise the team but organise my time too.
The exciting stuff
Every day is different at Ideagen! I’m always having new experiences and learning new things. Due to the variety of different organisations we work with there are always new opportunities to speak to some of the most interesting organisations in the world. I remember in my first couple of months I had the opportunity to speak to the United Nations and Amazon.
Career tips for young people
Try to set out career goals as early as possible and aim to achieve them (and not worry if your goals change). If you can have an idea of what you want to do in your teens, you are already going to be ahead of many people. Even if you have a rough direction in which you want to go in, you can work from that and start organizing a plan of action.
Ask me about
My career. A career in tech, software and development, presentation skills, public speaking, management skills.
Product Manager/Senior Technical Accountant
How I got here
After surviving my A level exams, I was unsure about what I wanted to do next. I decided that university wasn’t for me. I didn’t know what job I wanted, but I had a maths ‘A’ level so I went for jobs in accounting departments (the part of a business that manages its finances). I eventually got a job at a University in their management accounting department and the rest, as they say is history, I worked in management accounts for 6 years, then I moved to auditing (where you inspect the financial records of a business), I qualified as a chartered accountant, lectured in accountancy for 6 years, and moved to work in the technical department of some audit businesses. I left as an expert in audit and accounting and progressed to Product Manager at Ideagen.
The skills I use
I essentially run my product (my software product) like a small business. I oversee all the changes to the software, the marketing strategy of the product as well as ensuring all the content is up to date using my accounting technical knowledge.
The exciting stuff
I love still being an accountant and keeping up to date with all the changes in legislation. I also enjoy the learning experience of being a product manager as this is outside of my role as an accountant.
Career tips for young people
Don’t think that not having certain qualifications will hold you back. Companies like Ideagen will always consider your personality and attitude towards learning and working too. So don’t let qualifications stop you from applying for that next role!
Ask me about
My career. Changing careers, choices for after college, university, accountancy positions, the role of product manager, presentation skills.
