James currently works as Computer Programmer at Unisys in Wellington.

He holds a BSc (Science) in Computer Science.

1. When you were 7 years old you wanted to be... I wanted to be about half a dozen things, including a doctor, a pilot and a fire fighter. 

2. Name of the educational institution(s) you graduated from
Otago University

3. Why did you choose your major(s) or specialisation?
I majored in Computer science. I didn't exactly choose this major... like many people who go to University, I started doing something completely different. Computer science managed to maintain my interest.

I was interested in Computer science because of the elements of Mathematics and also the feeling that you were really learning how to understand a wide range of problems. Ultimately there were also a lot of job opportunities in this field.

4. How did you find your first job?
A friend suggested I apply. A lot of companies advertised graduate roles at my University, I applied to a few.

5. Describe the interview process you went through to obtain your first position after graduating
It was quite the experience at the time, telephone interview followed by psychometric testing, then a day with human resources and management staff, and the other graduate candidates. Interviews and presentations, even an 'unexpected' fire alarm.

Since then, I've been through a few interview processes. Most seem to involve multiple interviews; if technical, then a technical interview. Often psychometric testing is used.

6. What training was made available to you by your employer in your first role?
My employer provided some general leadership training, some work oriented training and certification. But nobody is going know what you need, or want. My work is good at providing training, but you need to find it.

7. Describe some of the roles you have held since your graduate level position
Unisys, 2 years. A technical consultant is perhaps the best description of my role. I was interested in pursuing the path of a software developer, but my role wasn't necessarily about that. I was given a range of tasks; evaluating software, writing reports, configuring systems and developing software. It was the later sort of activity that I preferred and I moved to a project where that was my primary role.

Memberships Online, 6 months. Architect, was my self proclaimed title, which I secured being a partner in the company. We had a product and a loyal client, not bad for a startup. My business partner handled most of the business side of things, allowing me to concentrate on the development tasks.

Solnet, 1 year. Intermediate developer.

Unisys 2 years so far... Senior developer.

NZfusion 6 months. Technical director. More of the same, development, design. But I'm trying to take a more active interest in more of the business aspect, and I'm especially interested in how tasks can be delegated to allow expansion of the team.

8. Have you found your degree useful in your working career? Why (or why not)?
Yes, I have. It has provided me with a strong base that I can use to help me understand emerging technologies and other peoples code!

But I don't think that a degree is necessary for my career, and I think that if any of my employers were particularly interested in the quality of product they were buying, then they'd consider their own training program.

You need a degree to get into an Information or technology role, but it never needs to be an Information degree. You might need a few papers, or a background interest that can be proven, but not a complete IT degree.

My degree has been useful, but I could have done a degree in law, mathematics, biology, or management and had similar skills... presuming I loaded the right technical papers into my program.

9. What are your plans for the next 5 years?
I'd like to live and work overseas, probably do some contracting and keep an eye out for new experiences and opportunities!

10. What advice would you give an upcoming graduate looking to kick off a successful career?
Stay healthy and balanced. Your first job is an opportunity to learn and explore. It might be the start of a long and successful career, or just another chapter in your life. But as long as you are enjoying it, or learning, then it will be worth it!