A lot of what I do is focused around learning and enhancing my skills. Power platform is really cool as it is Microsoft’s low code platform which allows you to rapidly build applications. The goal of it is to reduce paperwork and increase efficiency. Day-to-day there’s a lot of decision making and innovating involved in each of the projects we get. I am still learning about my role as I’m only a few months in, but I’m excited for what’s to come!

I’ve really enjoyed being able to sit in with my supervisor/mentor – my tech lead. I’ve been able to sit in with my tech lead on different steps of the project I’m currently working on, so I’ve loved being able to get up to speed on how everything works. Being allowed the time to get up to speed without the pressure of having to perform immediately has helped me ease into this work a lot easier. It’s important in a workplace to have the ability to ease into work – it removes a lot of the pressure so I can get comfortable, get up to speed, and when the time comes I will be ready to charge ahead on my own. As a graduate I still have a lot to learn. I love this dynamic a lot.

I really enjoy building applications. There’s a lot of variety in between each of the projects we as a company take up. Being a consulting company we get to work with a range of different businesses who have different needs, so the difference between projects keeps it exciting. It’s always fun heading into a new project and trying to figure out what the client needs. It always starts with a conversation, and then you dig deeper to the problems.

I keep pretty active in my spare time – I enjoy running, swimming and biking. I think it’s important to also focus on sleeping well and get at least seven hours. This can be difficult but it helps so much. Focusing on 1) eating healthy, 2) getting good sleep and 3) keeping active means that if one of these fall off for a bit I still have the other two to keep me going. This drip-feeds into making outside of work more balanced. When you’re feeling good outside of work it makes it easier to come in and focus.

It’s nice having an office to come into and work. We get to work hybrid (in the office, or from home) but personally I like to come in to the office when I can. I come in everyday as it gives me a place where I can focus at work and once I leave the office it’s time to relax. It’s easier to draw a boundary between work and life when you have them in two seperate locations. When I’m in the office I’m working, when I’m outside I’m not.

In the workplace I haven’t had any so far – it’s still early days. There’s a lot of support from my coworkers and superiors, so I know if I do come across challenges that I have people around me who I can call on if needed.

Try to see pursuing further knowledge/education beyond school as an investment into yourself. I wish I had seen going to university as an investment into myself when I started. It took quite a bit of time to figure it out once I started which is okay. If you want to maximise the return– or in other words get the most out of – on your investment you’ve just got to spend the time and effort.

Don’t waste opportunities that you’re given. Not everyone gets the same opportunities and they may never arise again, so if one comes by that you’re interested in – put in 100%.

It’s important/helpful to build contacts, but also to make friends and meet new people. In tech there’s a lot of people out there who are willing to help, so it’s important to get involved with other people and branch out.

Most importantly… make sure to have fun along the way!

One thing I was told early on was to try and dip your toes into a few different things to see what you like. Once you figure that out, give it a go! If it’s not working out and it’s something that you’re not really enjoying after giving it a good try consider making a change.

Enlighten Designs is a consulting company that does a lot of bespoke applications. Bespoke means that it’s unique to each business – it’s from the ground up. Very specific solutions for different people.

Enlighten Designs is a very inclusive workplace and has a good environment. I got a really good sense of this during the interview process. The interview process was quite thorough – there was a values interview where they asked me to share what I personally value. They dove a bit deeper which was nice to see that they care about you as a human. They’re really focused on creating a team of great people rather than a team of great workers.

Enlighten Designs have reach nationwide but also globally, and in those spaces have some really cool things going on. I find that really inspiring and would one day love to contribute to those projects.