What do you do?

I am a Tech Lead of a team of about 10 people, whose specialities include business analysis, UI/UX design, data science, data engineering, software engineering and GIS. As a Tech Lead, l act as a bridge between clients and developers, and attempt to convey their best interests in both directions. So this includes managing resources and ensuring our work gets completed on time and to a high standard, while also ensuring that no one feels overstretched and unsupported.

In addition to my managerial role, I still carry out technical tasks in the area of data visualisation. This involves determining effective ways to universally share complex concepts that may otherwise be difficult to convey, often using geospatial and dashboarding applications like ArcGIS, DECK.gl and Power BI.

Looking back, what advice would you give to current students?

Learn as much as you can from every opportunity you get and carve out a niche for yourself. Then use those two in concert to propel yourself towards your dreams.

What challenges did you face when you started working?

In the working world you come across multiple challenges. Some of the challenges I faced included a lack of direction, being overworked and underpaid, poor management and self doubt.

To overcome personal hurdles, like a lack of direction and self doubt, I poured more of myself into learning, surrounded myself with professional supporters (e.g. mentors) and asked for help as I needed it. Then to overcome professional struggles, like compensation and management issues. I learnt to advocate for myself and keep my eyes open for new opportunities that may better serve me.

In addition to employing the strategies above, having a strong sense of self-worth and self-motivation has ensured that I never give up and constantly Grad Gallery move towards the dreams I have set out for myself.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?

I have been very fortunate to have great supporters that have helped guide me to where I am today, so the most fulfilling part of my job is being able to play that role for the various members of my team and/or anyone who reaches out.

What pulled you towards your field?

When I was a child, I always dreamed of being an engineer, and at the time I thought this only meant building bridges and working on huge infrastructure projects. So, I went to university to study just that. However, during my time there I quickly felt drawn to programming and visually sharing the efforts of my work.

Although I was slightly concerned with what exactly this would translate to in the job market. I persevered in my interests while completing my degree in Geomatics Engineering. Upon entering the workforce I quickly saw that my skills were not only marketable but also useful.

Looking back, I am now able to see the thread of this interest - in visual storytelling and solving complex problems - throughout my life, and it is probably why I gravitated towards Engineering in the first place. So, l am very grateful to be able to work in a field that allows me to exercise these passions every day.