Stacy Mallon, Graduate Software Engineer, Asidua

Name Stacy Mallon
Job IT Graduate Software Engineer
Employer Asidua, Belfast
Education MSc Computer Science and Maths, Queen's University, Belfast (2007)

I was attracted by the IT industry because it's a fast-moving area where new technologies are continually evolving. I've always had a passion for problem solving, and IT offers exciting career prospects doing just that.

During my placement year at college I worked at Asidua. It was a great experience and gave me a taste of the kind of knowledge I'd be exposed to if I worked there as a graduate, so following graduation I applied for my current position.

My company provides data integration, software and consultancy services to both government and corporate clients. Currently I work as a developer for a client in the educational sector on a project that gathers information from local schools systems. My project involves MS .NET technologies such as SQL Server and XML related technologies. Other duties include the maintenance of live environments, which includes bug fixing, and analysis of some clients' existing systems and design.

A typical day will involve a 'sprint' meeting – a short, daily catch-up on what everyone in the team is working on – followed by development work in both SSIS and .NET technologies, and perhaps a meeting to discuss any design issues that need attention. I am also available to the client at any time to try and resolve any problems they may have.

Training makes up a big part of my working life, the majority of which is on the job. There are lots of more experienced employees willing to provide guidance and share their experiences. No question is ever too stupid – believe me I've asked my fair share! I have access to internal and external training courses in a variety of technologies. We are also encouraged to undertake certifications and presently I'm studying for my Microsoft Business Intelligence Developer exam.

One of the best things about this job is that you can actually see your achievements – it's a thrill to witness a piece of software that you have been working on being used in real life.

Tips for graduates

Good communication is one of the most valuable skills you can have. Every day you must communicate with people, be it team members, clients or other colleagues, and in the majority of cases, good communication is central to successful projects.