Our MA Profiles

Jonathan Whiles – Desktop Support

Before the scheme I’d been at college doing a BTEC in IT and working in a restaurant at the same time. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring my work and study together in the same place.

Initially I was shadowing someone while they took calls, and then after the first week I started taking calls on my own. You begin with something simple and then gradually move on to the more complex problems – and before long you’re dealing with situations that no one’s ever dealt with before.

Over the course of the scheme I’ve particularly enjoyed some of the project work I’ve been involved in. When a new team came on site we had to find out what they needed, get the applications right and do all the testing. Once it was up and running people were coming to me to deal with any queries because I knew the project inside out. It’s a great feeling when people start to look at you as a specialist.

Most of my colleagues are about five or six years older than me, so I’ve got used to talking with senior people – when you do something every day you get more confident at it, it’s as simple as that. Plus my IT skills have gone through the roof. Every day you learn something new, probably more on the job than on the course itself.

I’ve just finished the MA scheme now after three years, and I’m moving straight into a permanent role. I’ve talked to my line manager and the head of the MA scheme about plans for the future, and they’ve been really supportive in helping me work out what I want to do and how I can get there. Right now I’m considering studying for a degree in computer science in my own time.