Patricia
business analyst at a telecommunications company
In general terms, what does your job entail?
Methods always lag behind technology, so you're always running to catch up. For me it's the perfect combination of soft skills with very rigorous technology.
Describe the main events in a typical day
I interview business users to find out what they want and I run training and workshops for them. But in order to give them the information and equipment, which they need, I have to know all the technical options. I'm writing very detailed technical specifications, so I need to talk to developers and architects as well.
That is a very big change in the way I work. Projects used to take longer to develop and run through separate life cycles and I would never need to meet with developers, for instance. Now I'm used to becoming part of more interactive, multi-skilled teams.
Do you feel that you are using your talents in your job?
I feel I am using my talents.
After leaving school what were the major milestones in your career development?
After leaving school I completed a B.Sc in Computer Science and from there I got on a graduate scheme with a large consulting firm. After about 5 years I decided to leave. I'd had a wonderful grounding - doing design, development, analysis, you name it - but I didn't want to get stuck in one industry.
I became a consultant with a small company, which I felt had more flexibility than a larger organisation. It was as good as I expected. There was a lot less 'nurturing' than I'd become used to and more being thrown it at the deep end. It was very much the sharp end of business. I was there to earn money for the firm and there was a very definite connection between what I did and my payslip at the end of the month. It was ideal to broaden my experience and I did both consultancy and training for a huge variety of clients - in the public sector, in finance and in manufacturing. I also had a very sound introduction to methods. Before that, I'd thought that analysis was something of a black art! You start with a blank sheet of paper and create something from nothing. A knowledge of formal methods gives this a structure and, being a scientist, I liked that disciplined approach.
What do you like about your work?
My job is one of constant change. There is always something new to learn. I'm never sure what I'll be doing next.
Is there any aspect of your work that you not like?
The hours can be long, and sometimes the environment is quite noisy. On the other hand, there is always someone to talk to and you're never starved of human contact!
Do you have any specific advice for someone wanting to enter IT?
To anyone wanting to go into this field, I'd say that it's an enormously varied job and very interesting, particularly if you like meeting people.
People have the wrong idea about the work. It's very creative. I'm not in an office all day, sitting in front of a screen.
One of the best things for me is the sense of personal freedom. I'm given a task and it's up to me to finish it in the best way possible. Yes, it's disappointing when projects are cancelled for financial or political reasons but the sense of achievement when you do complete is enormous. That's always given me a boost - ever since I wrote my first program!"
My role in 4 words
Challenging, changing, exciting, people-oriented.
In secondary school I enjoyed ...
Maths and English were my two favourite subjects in school.
I was influenced towards to IT by...
I was looking for a new challenge and an industry in which I'd never be bored.
