Your Team Mates

Tom Andersson

Two years ago, I spent my first university summer holiday without a job, and was bored out of my mind - I had all the time in the world, but no money to spend. With the experience of a job-less summer at the back of my mind, I spent some time in the spring of 2005 scouting for possible jobs, and somehow managed to get both an interview and a job offer from Data Connection.

I hadn't heard of the company before and therefore had no idea what to expect from working there, but I didn't really mind - as long as I had a job.

As it turns out, I was rather lucky. Not only have I been able to gain some real-world work experience in an industry that's notorious for wanting 21-year old university graduates with three years' work experience, but I've actually enjoyed doing so, which is why when I was invited back for a second summer with the company, I didn't hesitate to accept.

Part of the reason for my return is that the work I've done is varied and interesting, but mostly it's because Data Connection is a good company to work for in terms of time and effort invested in you. The way in which you are given a mentor and a personal development plan as soon as you arrive, coupled with a friendly, relaxed office environment, means that you are constantly challenged but never lost, and more importantly never alone. The fact that the work you do actually matters to the company means that not only do you feel motivated and want to perform well, but you feel appreciated too.

Since working for Data Connection I have been faced with a number of tasks that have required me to learn new programming languages, development methodologies and development tools, and more importantly how to apply them to real problems. I have become more confident in my own abilities to learn and solve complex problems, and feel I'm probably a more well-rounded individual now then when I started.

A lot of the casebooks mention the social aspects of working at DC, so this might sound more like a bit of a sales pitch, and I guess in some ways it is - I'm trying to sell you the idea that DC is a pretty good place to work from both a personal and professional point of view. While my application to the company came out of fear of being bored, yours doesn't have to, and in fact shouldn't. If the prospect of solving complex problems in an unknown environment, with friendly and knowledgeable colleagues to help you when you need it sounds like your kind of thing then you should apply. It's as simple as that.