{"id":85881,"date":"2024-08-20T11:43:25","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T00:43:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.institutedata.com\/blog\/from-passion-to-pursuing-a-new-career-neil-kripals-driven-journey-into-software-engineering\/"},"modified":"2024-08-20T12:26:36","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T01:26:36","slug":"from-passion-to-pursuing-a-new-career-neil-kripals-driven-journey-into-software-engineering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.institutedata.com\/nz\/blog\/from-passion-to-pursuing-a-new-career-neil-kripals-driven-journey-into-software-engineering\/","title":{"rendered":"From Passion to Pursuing a New Career: Neil Kripal’s Driven Journey into Software Engineering"},"content":{"rendered":"

Neil’s journey into the world of software engineering is a testament to the power of passion, the art of problem-solving, and the relentless pursuit of growth.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a lifelong love for tech sparked in his early years, Neil aspired to work in a field where his skills and interests aligned.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He decided to transition from a diverse background in sales, real estate, and consulting to a career path that provided more meaning, challenge, and potential to his career prospects.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Neil decided to enrol in the Institute of Data\u2019s Software Engineering Programme<\/a>, which gave him the practical skills and industry-recognised credentials needed to fast-track his career in this new direction.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Learn how the Software Engineering Programme helped Neil land his current role as a Technical Support Engineer and his advice for others considering a career in this ever-evolving industry.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Neil, please tell me a bit about yourself. What are your interests outside of work?<\/h2>\n

I have many different interests, including going to the gym and boxing. I\u2019ve participated in sports all my life. I\u2019m at work six days a week, though, so I enjoy the challenge and balance exercise brings.<\/p>\n

Being at the gym is my \u2018me time,\u2019 I use to to reflect on my day and the path I want to pursue.<\/p>\n

For me, sports is a good way to take time away from work and life and reflect on my areas for improvement.<\/p>\n

2. Have you always been interested in technology?<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve always had a love of technology and a passion for problem-solving and making life easier through tech.<\/p>\n

When I was growing up, my dad and I always talked about tech and made improvements around the house. We liked automating things. So my interest in tech grew from there.<\/p>\n

Tech is such a vast domain. There\u2019s always something new and it provides endless opportunities to learn and grow.<\/p>\n

3. What drew you towards software engineering?<\/h2>\n

For the majority of my schooling years, I was tech-focused and into game design and coding databases.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t find tech overly difficult to understand, and after a while, I realised perhaps I had a knack for it.<\/p>\n

My first job out of school was selling computers in a retail shop. It was there that I realised I had a good base knowledge, so the role was an easy fit for me. Plus, I was good at talking to customers.<\/p>\n

Although I found I was pretty good at breaking things down for customers, I\u2019d reached a point in my sales career where I couldn\u2019t see any real progression.<\/p>\n

I was actually studying IT (information technology), but I felt I wasn\u2019t progressing at a pace I was content with. Plus, I wanted to develop my skills and abilities and move on to something more meaningful.<\/p>\n

Software engineering made sense to me. I wanted to focus on something I was passionate about.<\/p>\n[su_quote]I could see the software engineering space really developing and evolving, especially with the onset and development of artificial intelligence.[\/su_quote]\n

I knew that there would be increasing demand for software developers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I want a job that could do remotely because travelling is important to me. I want to travel and explore the world, and having a job I can do from anywhere is essential.<\/p>\n

4. Was there a particular reason that you chose to study with the Institute of Data?<\/h2>\n

I did a lot of research before I made that decision.<\/p>\n[su_quote]What gave me confidence, in the end, was the fact that the Institute of Data is partnered with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS)\u2014 it\u2019s such a well-known university.[\/su_quote]\n

Gaining the certification from the Institute of Data adds a credibility factor when on the job hunt.<\/p>\n

Being able to point to an organisation that is reputable within the industry is critical.<\/p>\n

Also, I could see that completing the bootcamp<\/a> would be a good punt as a way to fast-track the learning required.<\/p>\n

5. Did you have any concerns about signing up for a bootcamp?<\/h2>\n

Not exactly. I know bootcamps are becoming more popular<\/a>, and more people are choosing them as a time-efficient learning path.<\/p>\n

A certification fast-tracked both the educational aspect and the practical skills I needed, giving my resume the necessary credentials and me the confidence when applying for jobs.<\/p>\n

I think a lot of companies are seeking experienced people backed by solid education.<\/p>\n

6. What were some of the programme\u2019s highlights?<\/h2>\n

The capstone projects were excellent in encouraging a development mindset and fostering creativity.<\/p>\n[su_quote]They gave us the opportunity to apply the knowledge and experience gained during the programme, resulting in tangible, presentable work we could be proud of.[\/su_quote]\n

They really showcased the power of our acquired knowledge and the potential of the applications we built.<\/p>\n

I found the projects challenging but enjoyable. They brought out my problem-solving skills as I worked to find optimal solutions and tackle issues step by step.<\/p>\n

The process of overcoming obstacles and seeing the final results was both rewarding and fun.<\/p>\n

7. There are always setbacks and challenges when learning something new. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?<\/h2>\n

Everyone faces challenges when learning new material. It’s natural not to grasp everything immediately.<\/p>\n

The key for me was to revise, research different articles and developer notes about specific methods, and explore the intricacies of how they’re used.<\/p>\n

Taking my time and testing things out was crucial. As a more hands-on learner, I found that the more I experimented with the material, the better I connected the dots.<\/p>\n[su_quote]This practical approach helped me link my problems with the skills I had learned and the tests I had run.[\/su_quote]\n

By combining different examples and tests I had created, I could often find solutions to the problems at hand.<\/p>\n

It’s all about how you approach new concepts. While it can sometimes be overwhelming, the key is to slow down and put things into a perspective that makes sense to you.<\/p>\n

Learning becomes easier for me to digest and remember when I can correlate new information with what I already understand.<\/p>\n

This approach of breaking things down into relatable, understandable chunks can make the learning process more manageable and effective.<\/p>\n

8. Do you have any advice for people going through a bootcamp?<\/h2>\n

Success in learning comes down to asking questions whenever possible. Some people might hesitate to ask, fearing they’ll slow down the class or not receive a satisfactory answer.<\/p>\n

However, I found that the key is actively applying what we learn in labs or training sessions.<\/p>\n

Practical application is crucial because while you can be taught something, you don’t truly understand it until you use it.<\/p>\n

Working with the material helped me grasp how the process works, how different elements fit together, and why certain things affect others. This hands-on experience is what makes the main difference in comprehension.<\/p>\n

The training structure of the programmes was quite effective.<\/p>\n

It often involved step-by-step instructions that we all followed simultaneously. The programme also provided examples for us to work through independently, encouraging us to find answers independently.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, it came down to practice.<\/p>\n

The more I used different methodologies, the better I was able to apply them.<\/p>\n

Consistently applying what I learned was the most effective way to improve my skills and understanding.<\/p>\n

9. What was the job-hunting process like for you??<\/h2>\n

The job search was intensive and essentially a full-time job in itself.<\/p>\n

I applied religiously day after day. After a while, I began to question whether I was doing something wrong or if I hadn’t done enough.<\/p>\n

This led to a lot of self-reflection and review – the gym was great for this.<\/p>\n

I revisited my resume multiple times and spoke with various industry professionals about potential roles and areas to focus on.<\/p>\n

Persistence was key. It was crucial to be able to take criticism constructively and implement suggestions.<\/p>\n

But ultimately, it’s a day-by-day process\u2014the more effort you put in, the more you get out.<\/p>\n

The interview process for my current position was rigorous, involving about seven stages.<\/p>\n

However, it was beneficial as I met the entire team I’d be working with.<\/p>\n

This provided different perspectives and stories about the company.<\/p>\n[su_quote]Everyone conveyed the same message about the company’s positive culture, flexibility, and commitment to employee development and upskilling.[\/su_quote]\n

This commitment to growth really stood out to me, as I wanted a company that would support my development and provide the necessary resources and skills.<\/p>\n

10. How are you finding being in the software engineering industry?<\/h2>\n

Honestly, the job is everything I could have hoped for\u2014the work is great, the people are fantastic, and the flexibility is amazing.<\/p>\n

I only need to be in the office once a fortnight, with the rest being completely remote.<\/p>\n

It’s exciting to think about the potential for growth, even though I’ve only been with the company for five months.<\/p>\n

I’ve been one of the fastest to onboard, finishing the initial courses within a week and starting to handle tickets within the first month\u2014a process that typically takes many more months. So, they have been really pleased with my progression.<\/p>\n

Every day is a bit different, bringing a new set of challenges and problems to solve, which keeps the work interesting.<\/p>\n

I’m constantly learning and expanding my skills. It’s exciting to have entered the tech industry and to be exploring where this career can take me.<\/p>\n

11. What does the future hold for you?<\/h2>\n

My career goal is to become a team lead. I’m grateful for the communication and interpersonal skills I developed during my time in sales, as they’re proving invaluable in tech.<\/p>\n[su_quote]In this industry, it’s crucial to have both extensive technical knowledge and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively.[\/su_quote]\n

Being an exceptional coder isn’t enough if you can’t explain your work to clients or colleagues.<\/p>\n

The tech sector is growing in need of professionals with strong soft skills<\/a>, particularly in communication.<\/p>\n

I believe these abilities, combined with technical expertise, are what distinguish truly effective leaders and team members.<\/p>\n

12. Do you believe those soft skills you learned while working in sales and retail have a part to play in your new role?<\/h2>\n

I think my adaptability and constant drive for improvement have been key to my success.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m always looking for areas to improve, whether it’s tackling an issue differently, restructuring my day, or managing time more efficiently.<\/p>\n

Reflection is a useful tool. It\u2019s invaluable to take a few minutes each day, especially at the end of the day, to consider what you could have done better and what you did well.<\/p>\n

13. What advice would you give to those thinking about going into software engineering?<\/h2>\n

First of all, you need the ability to persevere. You might need to do some self-reflection and determine what you actually enjoy and what you see yourself doing long-term.<\/p>\n

I think having a growth mindset and being adaptive is important, as is being open to constructive criticism and suggestions from other people.<\/p>\n

Software engineering is an exciting arena with unlimited opportunities. If you have the drive and the passion, it\u2019s an industry you can really thrive.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019d like to learn more about our Institute of Data\u2019s Software Engineering Programme<\/a>, please download a course outline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can speak about the programme directly with a team member by booking a career consultation<\/a> to start your journey with an actionable plan.<\/p>\n

You can connect with Neil and follow his professional journey<\/a> on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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