Testimonials from industry professionals that are training participants on the Future in Tech Programme
I’m very grateful for the opportunity to Mentor Software Developer Programme in the Future in Tech Programme. This project was an amazing journey for me. I enjoyed every minute of mentoring such a dedicated group. Witnessing their growth—from forming as a team to taking on specific roles like project management, QA, development, and UI—has been profoundly inspiring. Each member stepped up, embraced their strengths, and showed remarkable accountability and responsibility.
Reflecting on our first day, I shared with the team that being around the same age—or perhaps a bit older—I’m not sure I would have had the courage they showed to invest personally in a career change and embrace something entirely new. Their commitment and perseverance have truly wowed me, and I am impressed beyond words. Seeing the team become self-sufficient, managing tasks and challenges on their own, was a joy. Their success is a testament to their hard work and the supportive environment provided by the Future in Tech Team, Cenit College and Mentors. Well done for fostering a space where such transformations are possible. I am excited to see where their new skills take them.
Shay Weiss, Director of Engineering & Product Portfolio, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Being a mentor with Future In Tech has been incredibly rewarding for me and, I hope, for the students I’ve guided. Each program has had a lasting positive impact, where I’ve witnessed personal transformations and career breakthroughs.
My goal has always been to provide tailored guidance and support, addressing the unique needs and aspirations of each mentee. By understanding their strengths and goals, I try to equip them with essential knowledge and skills for success in the IT industry. It’s gratifying to see mentees grow during their group project. Despite my technical background, the mentoring program forces me to shift the focus to teaching effective communication, teamwork, project management and analytical skills.
Mentoring with Future In Tech broadens my horizons and deepens my understanding of how to connect with others. Each mentee offers fresh perspectives, and the coaching and mentorship techniques I am learning are valuable. I wholeheartedly encourage others to become mentors with Future In Tech. The program shapes and guides aspiring individuals entering the IT field while fostering personal and professional growth in the mentor.
Paul Dermody, Agile Project Manager, Merative
I was delighted to get the chance to become a mentor with the Future in Technology programme (Data Analytics Pathway) this year. Although I wasn’t familiar with the programme initially, I figured that I would have some transferrable skills and insights I could share with the students. What really helped was that the material covered on the programme was highly applicable to an industry setting. I was so impressed by the level of passion, inquisitiveness, and ambition of the students – the Data Analytics sector is in good hands with this group. I would highly recommend this to anyone thinking about being a mentor, you will get far more out of it than you realise.
Joanne Seery, Ireland Innovation Centre Leader , MarshMcLennon
As a debutant mentor this year with Future In Tech, it’s been a rich & rewarding experience. I very much enjoy meeting with the participants as they are an enthusiastic team that want to build their career in the ICT sector.
This year, there is a Project Pod initiative which provides a team-based approach to managing a project. During our online meetings, it’s great to see the group support each other in all aspects of the project – – a valuable skill in the workplace.
From my perspective, I observe the participants confidence in their ability to manage an IT project increase over the weeks & months. This programme will enhance their skillset just as it will mine too, I’m glad I volunteered for this role.
Liam Cotter, Head of IT, UCC
Engaging with and supporting the Future in Tech programme has been both professionally and personally rewarding. Being granted the honour to help others flourish at a critical junction in their career has been immensely satisfying, bringing both personal fulfilment and professional growth. I am proud of the wonderful people that I mentored and all that they have achieved. I am emboldened by their potential as well as their demonstratable abilities developed by partaking in this wonderful course. I am very excited to follow their career progression and look forward to the opportunity to support, guide and mentor a whole new team again in the future.
Gerard Healy, Head of IT, Codex Ltd.
I’ve been working as a mentor with a small group of students who are completing the Cybersecurity Analyst course. It does not require a lot of my time (an hour or two every fortnight over the course of a couple of months). I have been helping the group to work out how they will approach a group-based assignment. My contribution has primarily been focused on how they can ensure they meet their deadlines and how to work remotely as a group.
As the project is not a mandatory part of the course, the students who are involved in the group are doing so because they want to apply their learning rather than just pass an exam. As a result, they are all highly-engaged in the group discussions. Each group member also brings their own unique perspective because they each worked in different industries in the past. All-in-all, it is a really enjoyable experience.
Sam Glynn, Director, Code in Motion
I have had the pleasure of being mentor under the Digital Marketing pathway for the last few years and what an experience it has been! First hand I can see the benefits the programme has had on students and allowing them to bring their career to a new level.
Through the mentoring project it allows students to put what they learnt into practical practice, as well as learning from someone who does it on a regular basis. What the students get out of depends on the level they put into it, and the same goes for me as a mentor – it is not just the students that benefit from the experience.
If it is something you are thinking of doing either from a mentor or student point of view – you won’t regret it. It is a very rewarding experience!
Catherine Ryan, CEO/Owner, Ryan Marketing Solutions
I joined as a mentor to the Future in Tech programme earlier this year and am working with a group of students who are completing the Cybersecurity Analyst course. At the outset, I wasn’t sure what I was signing up to but thought it would be an opportunity to share some of my experiences with students. I’ve being doing the role for a number of months now and really enjoy the role. The students are enthusiastic, highly engaged and it’s great to hear about their progress and to play a small part in helping them to achieve success. If you can spare the time and think this might be something that you could do, I encourage you to get involved. You won’t regret it.
Michael O’Dwyer,Partner , Bearingpoint
They say you get more back from mentoring than you give, and that certainly is true. I loved the group mentoring and to see how the group evolved to support each other over the semesters. These mentoring sessions brought together a disparate group that bonded and became a powerful force, towards the end of the programme as they engaged in their final group project. I’m very proud of them and what they are achieving and what they will achieve in the future! Who knows maybe a nugget from one of those relaxed mentoring sessions will help them to do great things in cybersecurity in the future.
Carmel Somers,CS Consulting Ltd
Having had the opportunity to act as a mentor in two Future in Tech Programme’s, I can testify to its wide ranging benefits first hand. Primarily to the participants, who compliment their new technical skills gained on the curriculum with a practical assignment that enables them to approach a new sector with confidence. Invariably these participants realise that much of their existing experience and talents, are transferable to this growing sector, allowing them to pivot rather than ‘start again’.
From the mentors perspective, I find you get to learn as much as the candidates. From the diverse backgrounds of mentee’s you engage with, to meeting exciting new talent that can add value to your own and connected businesses. These benefits, added to the rewarding sense of giving back, makes it a worthwhile endeavor for anyone in a position to volunteer. I highly commend the Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet team who established this programme and are constantly evolving it to meet the markets needs.
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