#TeenTechSurrey 2014 Company Exhibitors - ATKINS GLOBAL

Our big event, #TeenTechSurrey is less than a week away, so here’s another teaser for what we have in store for our visitors on the day. Atkins Global are another of our confirmed exhibitors this year. Established in 1938, specialising in civil and structural engineering design, Atkins is one of the world’s leading design, engineering and project management consultancies, providing multidisciplinary technical expertise. Join them at TeenTech Surrey 2014, being held at Surrey Sports Park next Wednesday, 12^th November, where they will be bringing their hands on activity, inviting students to build towers from dried spaghetti and jelly babies.

It’s not too late! If you are (or know of) a sixth form, college or undergraduate student that is considering a career in the STEM (science, technology, engineering & maths) field, and would find it useful to meet with working scientists and engineering representing around 30 different employers – from start-up companies to huge multi-nationals – email Dani Longhurst – dani@satro.org.uk to book your place NOW!

CASE STUDY - WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A WEB DEVELOPER?

Mike Arrow is 23 and has worked in Guildford as a web developer since 2012 . He works for Minted Box which is a small company based on the Surrey Research Park in Guildford specialising in web development who work with a wide range of clients ranging from charities to top UK plc’s.

As a web developer Mike takes the designs for websites and turns them into reality for their clients. This sometimes involves working with colleagues to develop a detailed project plan to ensure that all of the pages on the site link together correctly. He learnt some code before he joined the company but has learnt many of the skills that he needs whilst working for the company.

Mike really enjoys his role and seeing the final websites up and running.  He particularly enjoys finding a way of solving problems when the sites are being developed.  Clients may want their websites to be used on a range of equipment and so Mike may need to adapt the coding to ensure that the website works on a variety of devices. One of the biggest challenges he faces is keeping up to date as both the technology and coding is developing very fast.

He thinks that web development suits people who are logical with an eye for detail and who enjoy systematically working through problems to find the solution. He found that doing IT at school and having GCSE Maths together with an understanding of algebra has really helped him as he frequently uses equations when writing code.

His advice to people considering web development as a career should have a go at developing a website for themselves using online tutorials to learn some coding. He used the W3 Schools website: (http://www.w3schools.com/  and suggested that it is worth developing an on line portfolio so that potential employers can see what you have done already. He also suggested that it is also worth asking about work experience to see what it is like to work on web development. 

CASE STUDY - Life as an IT First Line Support Worker

Interested in a career in IT? Have a look at this case study of a IT first line support worker at RAMSAC for advice and information about how to get a job in IT...

What does your company do?

RAMSAC is an IT outsourcing company. They provide a range of IT services for several hundred companies ranging from assisting with

technology projects to providing a helpline to provide IT support for RAMSAC customers.

What did you do before you started working there?
Charles went to school at St Johns in Leatherhead where he gained 11 GCSEs and A levels in ICT, design technology and biology and an AS level in Physics

What attracted you to this job?

Charles decided that he would prefer to get a  job rather than going to University because he didn’t want to get into debt.

He knew that he wanted to work in IT as he had always been interested in it and whilst he was at school he spent his spare time playing with IT and  looking at IT operating systems. He enjoys problem solving and working out how things work together and felt that a career it IT would suit him.  problems.

He spoke to some companies and was concerned that the knowledge that he would gain at University might be out of date by the time that he graduated as the IT industry is developing very quickly. He was also concerned about the debts that he would be left with if he went to University whilst an apprenticeship enabled him to gain experience and qualifications whilst earning a salary.

He found this job after going to an apprenticeship event at Guildford college and taking to a number of companies.

What advice would you give someone thinking about this as a career?

Charles feels that studying for A levels I useful because this helps to develop a work ethic and teaches you how to prioritise and take responsibility for your own work. The actual A levels are less important that an interest in IT  and how systems work although IT A level is helpful (but not essential)

Charles had the following advice for people at school considering their next steps:

·         Before deciding whether to go to University think what type of job you would like to do and talk to people who are recruiting for these roles to see what they are looking for – this could either be employers or recruitment agencies

·         If you are interested in the IT industry remember that it is developing very fast and so an apprenticeship may be a better option than going to University as you will gain the skills that businesses are looking for whilst being paid to do so and without building up a big debt.