Joseph Harris

• Year of graduation: 2023
• Current job title: Managing Director
• Current employer: Mercury Dynamics LTD
• Industry sector: Analytics and Reporting

I chose the University of Northampton because I lived locally, which made travelling very easy and allowed me to fully concentrate on my studies in a comfortable environment. The University offered the precise course and modules I wanted to study, and during the open days I attended, it was evident that the staff are passionate about facilitating student learning.

I appreciated the added flexibility of attending my lectures online post-Covid. This significantly reduced travel time, allowing me to concentrate on my assignments and revision. I also valued the real-life case studies incorporated into some of my modules, which made the experience more tangible and provided a clear purpose for the work being done.

The most important skills I learnt during my studies are cohesion and the ability to work as part of a team. These have proven invaluable in my career so far. Also, I’ve found that the role of a requirements engineer is a crucial aspect of software engineering, something I didn’t fully appreciate until I started my degree course. However, since running my own company, I’ve come to realise that this skill is irreplaceable.

I began my career working as a software engineer within insurance/fintech for a company called IS2 Technology LTD. Prior to this, I had also incorporated my own limited company, Mercury Dynamics LTD, which I’ve scaled to massive proportions alongside my full-time job. Going forward, I intend to continue to grow within my full-time role and assist the company in achieving its goals, as well as continuing to scale my own company in my spare time.

One hurdle I’m yet to face is realising when my company needs my complete dedication to continue its growth and development. I aim to create jobs within the technology industry and opportunities for people who are in the position that many others and I have previously been in.

Aside from my studies, whilst I was at UON I was the Vice-President of the Computing Society, and I also occasionally attended meets with the Rock Climbing Society. This helped my career prospects as the Computing Society enabled me to meet and network with a diverse range of people. Through these connections, I secured a part-time job within my industry, which I held for two years during my course. This experience was invaluable and contributed significantly to my success and fostered many lifelong friendships. Furthermore, talks from alumni provided insights into the nuances of the industry.

The advice I’d give to undergraduates interested in this career path would be to gain experience at every opportunity – it will be your biggest strength when applying for full-time positions once you graduate.

My UON experience was one of invaluable learning, strong networking, career-boosting and lifelong friendships.