Case studies : Software Test Engineer at Citrix: James Piper

I'm James Piper and following my recent graduation from Anglia Ruskin University with a BSc honours degree in Computer Science have joined Citrix Systems at their Camborne Office working as a Software Test Engineer.

My work at Citrix proves to be interesting, challenging and of great value. Since starting Citrix approximately 4 months ago I’ve worked on a variety of projects toward advancing Citrix’s XenDesktop product. Work has been varied, moving through the entire product lifecycle from test planning and design through to environment setup and test execution and Release.

Working with the team, developing an enterprise level IT product creates responsibility and gives you tremendous pride and motivation in the work you do. It is really quite surprising how quickly an environment in which you are surrounded by high technology and highly skilled expert’s advances you beyond your key foundation knowledge gained at University, into a much more knowledgeable and confident engineer.

You are actively encouraged to additionally pursue personal projects to increase the breadth of your knowledge and further your development in the company. For example I’ve been working on a project involving NetScaler and done presentations to the wider team to communicate key topics. I have no doubt that working for Citrix exposes you to a much wider range of cutting edge products, technologies and platforms than other more traditional IT companies which don’t fully utilise virtualisation to its full potential in all its products.

Citrix has a work hard and play hard attitude and genuinely cares about the well beings of its employees. I’ve also been able to get involved with charitable activities with support from Citrix’s Global Day of Impact scheme. Enabling I and the immediate team to take a day out to volunteer and help the friends of Holt Island in St Ives with some maintenance work on a protected island, giving something back to the community.

I’m proud to work for Citrix and look forward to the promising years to come.