Michaela Fitzgibbon - IT Technician

Bio: Grew up in England then moved to Australia with my family at 16 and never went back to any formal education, until now.

What do you do?
I work part time as an IT Technician at Swan TAFE in Thornlie. I have also worked as a lecturer, teaching short courses in building computers.

What do you love about your work?
My work is extremely varied. I can be fixing computers one day, setting up user accounts the next day and configuring the switches and router the day after that. I enjoy every aspect, but I especially love the problem solving and the sense of achievement you have when you find the right solution.

What is the money like?
The salary can be unbelievable. It is possible for me to work part time and still be earning similar money to what I would full-time in another industry.

How did you get to where you are today?
I did my Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma in IT Systems Administration at Thornlie TAFE. At the end of my studies, my head lecturer offered me a job as an IT Technician.

What made you decide to work in ICT?
I am married and have two boys aged seven and nine. When they started full-time at school I decided that I wanted to do something for me, but was unsure what area of education I wanted to pursue. The children were already getting to a stage where they knew more about computers than I did so I decided not to get left behind!

Is the ICT industry what you expected?
Yes and no. I expected it to be exciting and a gateway into any career, but I never realised just how immense the field is. There are hundreds of different pathways that can be followed from multimedia to programming.

What do you find interesting about working in ICT?
There is always something new thing to learn - just when you think you've got a grasp on something, you'll find a different approach. A useful group for anyone interested in ICT is the ACS (Australian Computer Society). They hold workshops and monthly meetings. It's a great way to network and stay in touch with what's happening in the industry.

Where do you see your job in ICT taking you?
I would like to work in systems administration for a large company where there is the potential to expand on my ICT knowledge.

What advice would you give someone considering a career in ICT?
TAFE is a fantastic way to start. You gain practical hands on experience and the qualifications can be used if you decide to go to University. Don't be overwhelmed by everything there is to learn - it does get easier as you go along.

Why would you encourage others to get into the ICT industry?
There is a shortage of ICT employees at the moment so now is the perfect time to get into it. Most employers are willing to train the right person and the fantastic salaries are an added bonus.

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