Your Team Mates

Fiona Cuthbert

I found Data Connection during my third year of an Engineering degree, while looking for summer work that would provide me with real software engineering experience. Instead of being stuck with the jobs no one else wanted, I was given a distinct component to design and implement.

I know it's being used by customers because a few weeks ago someone from MetaSwitch asked me to run through how it works!

The idea of being challenged and involved right from the start was what made me decide Data Connection was the place I wanted to work. Well, that and the flexible working hours (I'm not an early morning person); the possibility of getting out the office to run around at lunchtime (I play touch rugby and Ultimate Frisbee, and recently played for the DC team in the London Summer Ultimate league); the regular pub trips the promise of company outings (we're going skiing at the start of next year). Far from being computer geeks, people are friendly and chatty and I've got involved in lots of activities I'd never tried before - I just spent lunchtime being pulled around the park by a huge power-kite!

Of course there's work involved as well, and it's technically challenging and complex, but there's plenty of support. My manager and mentor are both there to answer my questions, and with their support I've worked through what at first seemed daunting tasks. I work in the Network Protocols Division, particularly on improving the code that integrates our routing products with different operating systems. The open plan office makes it easy to take questions to the 'expert' on a particular subject, so you never feel you're on your own with a problem, and people are happy to take the time to make sure you understand things properly. The range of testing, bug fixing and developing I've done in the last year means that now people come and ask me questions!

Personal development is seen as an important part of your work, with regular reviews, individual development plans and education sessions - I recently attended a three day Effective Communications course run by some of the company directors. Your own views and ambitions are worked into your development plan; if you want to become a manager as soon as possible, then you and your manager will work out a plan to do just that. No two graduates have exactly the same career plans, and the company respects that.

So, if you want to spend your days doing interesting and challenging work in a supportive environment and still have plenty of time to live your life, Data Connection can provide that opportunity.