I Got Hired: Asher

Posted on: 25 October 2025 by Richard Finch in Class of 2024

Asher is a Class of 2024 Computer Science with Software Development graduate who now works for System C as an Associate Infrastructure Engineer.

How did you hear about your role?

I discovered the role on LinkedIn shortly after graduating, and what initially drew me in was its location - just a short walk from the flat I had recently moved into. At that stage, I wasn’t entirely sure what direction I wanted to take, but I was looking for something that would challenge me intellectually, make use of my degree, and offer room to grow. The structure of the programme stood out immediately: a two-year rotation designed to give graduates exposure to a variety of relevant areas. It felt like the kind of opportunity that could really shape the early stages of a career. That said, I didn’t apply with high expectations - it was one of the first roles I had come across, so I had already mentally prepared myself for the early wave of rejections that often come with applying for graduate roles.

How did you get to where you are now?

Breaking into a graduate role in IT, specifically in infrastructure engineering, wasn’t a straightforward journey. Most graduate schemes have intense, multi-stage recruitment processes, often including application forms, online and technical assessments, phone interviews, and full-day assessment centres. Each stage brought its own challenges, and at times it felt like a test of resilience just as much as one of skill. There were definitely moments where I felt discouraged, but I stayed focused - refining my CV, practising interview techniques, and learning from every experience. The support of friends and family played a huge part in helping me stay grounded and motivated throughout. In the end, persistence paid off. I’m now in a role that not only challenges me but also gives me space to continue learning and developing every day.

Your favourite experience as part of your current role?

One of my favourite experiences so far has been being invited to contribute to a large-scale automation project early in my role. I’d only been in the position for a few months, but because I had experience with the manual version of the process, as well as some familiarity with automation, I was asked to help guide how the new solution should be shaped.

Being trusted to contribute to something so important at such an early stage gave me a real boost in confidence and made me feel proud of the progress I’d already made. It was also a great introduction to working in a more structured agile environment, collaborating across teams, planning in sprints, and keeping documentation clear and up to date. I was offered the chance to move into the Cloud Operations (COPS) team after I had passed my probation period, which was a really exciting opportunity. It aligned much more closely with what I’d studied at university, things like infrastructure as code and cloud providers - such as Azure, and felt like a valuable step forward, especially as more of the infrastructure world continues to shift towards cloud-based solutions.

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

One of the most challenging parts of my graduate journey has been adjusting to the demands of full-time work while managing everything else life throws at you. Moving from university into a structured 9-to-5 routine was a big shift, not just in terms of hours, but in the mental energy it takes to show up and perform consistently.

On top of that, I definitely experienced moments of imposter syndrome and self-doubt, especially early on when everything still felt unfamiliar. Balancing professional responsibilities with personal life was difficult at times, and I also went through a particularly stressful period outside of work, which had a real impact on my motivation and performance. I wasn’t showing up feeling refreshed or excited in the way I had at the start.

What helped immensely was having understanding and supportive managers who recognised what I was going through and created the space for me to find my footing again. That experience reminded me how important it is to have the right support around you - and to be patient with yourself while adjusting to a new chapter.

What's your #1 piece of advice for future grads?

My biggest piece of advice is to stop waiting until you feel “ready.” It’s easy to convince yourself you’re not experienced enough or that someone else would do the job better, but the truth is, you’ll grow into the role by doing it, not before it. Apply for that job, speak up in that meeting, ask the question you’re unsure about. You don’t need to know everything on day one. Confidence builds with time, and the people around you are usually more supportive than you think. Be kind to yourself and treat every challenge as something you’re capable of learning from

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