Get to Know Your SA BEC - Ewan Mark

19th May 2020

Highlights

This week we have the spotlight on Ewan Mark
Ewan is a Business Analyst with DXC Technology, specialising in Customer Communication Management (CCM)
Ewan shares his experience with us and provides advice to students in the IT industry, how he keeps his skills up-to-date and how ACS Membership has helped him in his career.

1. What do you enjoy most about working in the tech industry?

I found a passion in the business side of tech and improving processes/applications, so the thing I enjoy the most about the tech industry is seeing people’s lives made easier or providing a solution to a problem. The other thing is the diversity of technology, you could have a passion for any industry sector and can find a way to make a tech career out of it.

2. What piece of advice would you give to those studying to get into the IT industry?

I have two strong pieces of advice for this and some I wish I did better when I was studying. The first is to network and build more relationships, this is not just confined through going to professional networking events but even with your teachers/tutors and peers. Beginning in the industry you never know when that network may be useful for finding your next or first opportunity. Secondly is doing personal projects, I highly recommend doing your own personal projects and building knowledge outside of what is taught in the classroom. This was something I didn’t do and have huge regrets about because some of the skills needed now could have been skills I developed while studying and completing personal projects!

3. Tech changes fast. How do you keep your tech skills up-to-date?

I often use LinkedIn as a great source for keeping up with new trends and ideas. If you are aiming to be a part of a particular sector of the industry find meaningful people and follow them so that you can see what they talk about. My other go-to is podcasts, they have been a great filler for this isolation and I often listen to one when I’m making dinner or when I was driving to work.

4. What has been your greatest challenge to date, as a young career professional?

I think my greatest challenge to date has been transitioning from study to work, it becomes a very different mindset of completing tasks and assignments but also a very strong emphasis on what you bring and what you can prove.

5. How has ACS membership supported your career journey in tech?

ACS membership has provided me the opportunity to network with people I never thought of meeting and also getting involved to giving back to the community through the helping plan, volunteering to work with ACS SA staff and other volunteers to organize the half-day conferences and now joining the ACS SA BEC.

'Get to Know Your ACS SA BEC' series aims to shed the spotlight on your SA BEC members and get their insights on key topics realted to your ACS membership and the IT sector. This week we continue our ‘Get to Know Your ACS SA BEC’ series, with Jo Stewart-Rattray, providing some insights into how to make the most of your ACS Membership.