Name: Emer Caldwell
Role: IT Manager
Biography:
For the past five and a half years I have worked for Payescape. They are a web-based payroll, HR and time attendance solution for UK based businesses. I started with the company as a junior developer whilst I was studying for my BSc Hons degree in Computing at the University of Ulster and have since worked my way to becoming the companies IT Manager.
What does your typical day look like?
My typical day varies wildly as I am tasked with planning, managing and developing large scale software projects for the company as well as managing day to day IT operations within our office.
What are you currently working on?
We are currently developing bespoke, cloud based tax engine to automate all manual processes and deliver results to our client even faster.
What inspired you to join this company in particular?
I joined Payescape on my placement year at university and was drawn to the company because of the close knit team that they had and the friendly working environment. They’re a growing company with big aspirations and they encourage they’re employees to grow with them.
Did you always want to work in this industry (tech)?
Yes, I have always been fascinated by technology and grew up using computers as part of my daily life whether it was playing games, keeping in contact with friends or using them to help me in my studies throughout school.
What’s your favourite part about your work?
I am a problem solver at heart and the nature of my work means that I deal with a range of complex tasks each day. The solution to these tasks is often unclear at the start but I take great pleasure in solving these puzzles and seeing my work through to completion.
What would you say to other people considering a job in this industry (tech)?
It is a growing industry within Northern Ireland and because of this there are a huge range of jobs in the field. Whether you want to go in to software development, project management, IT support or even sales, you’ll find a job to suit in the IT industry and as technology develops there is a great scope for learning.
How do you see this technology impacting on our lives?
Technology is integral to our modern way of life. It permeates everything that we do. From hospitals, to banking and everything in between, it doesn’t take too much searching to see how technology has an impact on your daily life.
Who inspired you to work in this field?
My dad. He bought me my first laptop and taught me how to use computers growing up.
What do you consider to be the most important tech innovation or development in recent years?
I would say the development in internet speeds has been a massive innovation over the last 10 or 15 years. It allows everything to happen a lot faster. Global communications, online banking, web-based businesses and the emergence of companies like Amazon and Netflix is all made possible by faster, more efficient internet speeds.
What tech gadget could you not live without?
My mobile phone. It obviously allows me to communicate with family and friends, but beyond that it gives me access to the internet, allowing me to do everything from answer work emails, to browse social media and most importantly of all it gives me use of Google Maps.
