Case studies : Technology consultant: Mary

Mary has a BSc in Software Development from the University of Huddersfield is currently working as a technology consultant for Hewlett Packard.

I joined the company a year ago on a graduate training scheme. I feel that it was the combination of my previous experience and well-developed people skills that were key factors in landing me my current role.

My industrial placement year with Oracle, where I had range of responsibilities including database work, testing and bug fixing, undoubtedly gave me the edge when applying for this job. I also feel my other experiences working as a support worker for students with disabilities and in the enrolment team at my university were invaluable in helping me to further develop my people skills.

The recruitment and selection for HP’s graduate training programme is quite traditional in that the initial stage involves a telephone interview followed by a selection centre. My advice to anyone interested in applying is to promote your relevant and non-relevant experience as the company is very much looking to employ graduates with not just technical abilities but also with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

My role is very varied and very much project based - a typical day would involve product development, developing fixers, releasing these to clients and writing up documentation. Many of my clients are based overseas in the USA. My actual training period was very short, only lasting about a month, where I was given an introduction to the company, its philosophy, products and client base. One of the elements I most enjoy in my work is the customer contact and the fact that I have been given responsibility almost immediately. One of the things I do not enjoy as much is being located some distance away from home where I frequently have to stay in hotels. Working hours, however, are very flexible so that if I decide to work a very long day I can have an early finish on another day to compensate.