Why did you decide to do this degree in the first place?
I had a keen interest in technology and how advances in IT play such an integral role in shaping the future.
If applicable, what did you do for your placement year and what was it like?
I worked within the Bank of Ireland initially with a role in IT development. Unfortunately, I was unable to continue within this role due to the economic situation at that time, giving me a very real taste of the working world! Luckily I was able to find a position within a highly accredited virtualization company in the Belfast area, Novosco, as an IT support analyst. I was given a lot of responsibly and treated like any other member of staff. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at both companies and the experience certainly reinforced my determination to pursue a career in technology.
Why did you decide to move to London? Has it lived up to your expectations?
I decided to move to London because I felt I had done and seen everything Ireland had to offer. I had lived in Belfast for a number of years which I loved and the same with Dublin. I think it was the thought of big city living that attracted me to London and it has definitely lived up to my expectations. I would recommend London to anyone!
How did you find your job at Experian QAS? What did the application process involve?
I found the job with Experian QAS through a graduate job board which I had uploaded a copy of my CV to. I registered an interest in the company and they got in contact for an initial discussion about the position on offer. From this initial discussion I decided Experian QAS was definitely where I wanted to work. This determination led to me completing a rather stressful trip to London via ferry to Liverpool, due to the lack of plane travel because of the ash cloud. It was well worth it when I was offered the job though!
Why did you decide on Experian QAS?
Experian QAS seemed to tick all the boxes for what I wanted from a graduate job. They offered a great location, competitive salary and fantastic working environment. They made it clear from the start that the graduate positions are designed to allow rapid progression up through the company, something that I was keen to realise.
Tell us about the company and your role. Describe a typical day at work.
Experian QAS provide contact data management software, helping renowned organisations from O2 to the National Blood Service. It was the fact that EQAS play such a crucial role in the success of a wide variety of renowned businesses which appealed to me.
My role is in Technical Support, more commonly known as ‘Tech Support’, which is a range of services providing an excellent grounding in our wide range of products to the customers who use them and to Experian QAS as a business. The Technical Support Team within Experian QAS is split into two levels, referred to as ‘first line’ and ‘second line’. I am currently working within the second line support team, which I find very rewarding.
What are the best things about your job?
The best thing about my job by a long way is the people.
What are the worst things about your job?
After our delicious free meal once a week at the Pepper Tree restaurant, our team tend to experience the famous ‘Pepper Tree Slump’ which can make being productive during the afternoon a bit of a challenge! It’s well worth it though!
What’s your highlight been so far?
One of my highlights so far has been winning an award for ‘outstanding contribution to the business’. It was great for my achievements to be recognised in front of the entire company, and being given a bottle of champagne by the MD was pretty good too! Another highlight was being promoted to second line support, as rapid development is something that I have always been keen to achieve through hard work. Another highlight was the National Company Meeting at the Emirates Stadium, which was a really fun day (and night!)
Would you recommend Experian QAS to graduates and placement students?
Experian QAS is a fantastic company to work for and I would highly recommend it to both graduates and placement students. The company could not be tailored better for both of these groups.
