Name: Eimear Corrigan
Role: UX Developer
University: Ulster University
Degree: Interactive Multimedia Design
Biography:
I’m a current final year student at Ulster University studying Interactive Multimedia Design and I work part-time at Synergy Learning during my studies.
What does your typical day look like?
As I’m currently studying in my final year and working with Synergy Learning during my studies, my days are always quite different so a typical day is hard to describe. When I’m in office, I’m greeted cheerfully in the morning from everyone in the team. It’s always a lovely start to the day!
I get settled and catch up on projects I’m involved in and then I check on our task manager to see what’s required that day. It’s quite a collaborative approach for customer projects and I always feel like I can take part in discussions around challenges the team are facing.
What are you currently working on?
I started off with Synergy Learning as a UX Designer and got to work on a few design solutions for some companies. I quickly developed an interest in the UX Development work so I’m currently working on a few different projects combining both the design and development experience. Most recently I’ve been creating interactive learning activities for MindWise including designing and coding interactive elements for the web interface.
What inspired you to join this company in particular?
As part of my degree, we were given the opportunity to go on a placement year to gain real world experience in an industry that interested us. I still remember walking up to the Synergy Learning stand at the Career’s Fair that the University hosted, and being greeted with such warmth and excitement from the team. It was clear that they loved their work and where they worked. This is something I really looked for when applying for placement roles - a company that was wholesome and cared about their people.
Now I’m lucky and thankful to have the opportunity to remain at Synergy Learning and build my career alongside a superb team. It’s also clear that they know how to keep good people as many of the development team started as placement students and have also had the opportunity to return for a graduate role or apply for a job after they’ve graduated.
Did you always want to work in this industry (tech)?
I’ve always been really interested in tech, even during school when I probably didn’t realise it as much. Then when I started my University course, it was really clear this was something I enjoyed and wanted to pursue. I love learning new things, taking courses to learn something different and grow and Synergy Learning really champion learning and personal development.
Ask me back in 2016, before I started University, to make a HTML page, I wouldn’t have been able to do it and when I think of that now, I think “How did I not know how to do this?”. It’s amazing that you can really start from the bottom with no knowledge and work up to be what you strive to be.
What’s your favourite part about your work?
The best thing about my work is that every day in the office is a great day. The people are great to be around and learn from, and as I’m always learning, there’s always something new I can tick it off of my “I know how to do this” list and be proud of that.
What would you say to other people considering a job in this industry (tech)?
For anyone considering the tech industry, I would say to absolutely go for it. There are so many great people to meet! There are tech events happening all the time. Definitely get your head in the door, get talking and get going.
How do you see this technology impacting our lives?
As we create learning solutions for many companies’ Learning Management Systems (LMS), this technology impacts the lives of so many. We create powerful bespoke solutions for a vast range of companies. For the end user, being able to access learning materials from anywhere is key to progressive learning.
As a University student, being able to access online learning is so important and helping to create something for others that I have used myself as an end user is a really interesting perspective. We also get to work with corporate clients for training and compliance learning and it’s really interesting to see how an LMS can be tailored to a workplace.
Who inspired you to work in this field?
My ICT teacher at school, Mrs. Holmes inspired me the most. I still remember the day she talked about HEX codes in class and I was amazed that she knew some of them off by heart. During projects for 6th form, she was always there to lend a hand and guide me in the right path and I’m really appreciative of that. A really great role model.
What do you consider to be the most important tech innovation or development in recent years?
Real-Time Language Translation. It’s powered by voice recognition technology and coupled with AI. This is so powerful, I think that if this was used all over the world, imagine what was possible. It could be used in many scenarios, from meeting people from anywhere in the world to even an emergency scenario. I attended a Women Techmakers Belfast event, and they had a screen up which was able to display the speakers words in text format. I have a friend who is deaf, so things like that are amazing and make events feel more inclusive.
What tech gadget could you not live without?
That’s a tough one. It would be between my laptop and my phone. My laptop because it has been with me since I started University and I’ve learnt everything on there. My phone because it keeps me up to date with everything going on in the world and keeps me in contact with my friends as well. Having a great circle of people around me keeps me going and provides great support so it’s hard to weigh up both of them. If I could combine them I would!
