IT troubleshooter’s world always on go

A CHILDHOOD spent tinkering with computers has given Richard Gray-Spence the edge in a career in Information Technology.

The TJ Microsystems help desk and service engineer has been involved in the field since he left school.

His job calls for extensive IT and computer system knowledge as service engineers may be called to perform mainten- ance work or to troubleshoot systems and conduct repairs and are employed in a variety of companies.

“The variety of clients we work for across every industry presents unique challenges that are often time critical,” Mr Gray-Spence said.

“Rising to these challenges is always a great test of your skills and abilities and provides a great sense of satisfaction once resolved.”

The former personal trainer and CrossFit coach said his most challenging job had been having to take over a project from a departing colleague and migrate data systems for a global oil company.

“From the impact it would have on the other staff and the time pressure that I was under to get it done, I’m happy to say I managed to pull it off after some very late nights.”

Mr Gray-Spence, 30, said the opportunities within the IT field were endless and affected nearly every daily situation we participate in whether it be air- ports or cancer research labs.

And a career in IT was forever evolving.

“Definitely the pace with which IT changes is the biggest issue we face,” he said.

“You see it every day with how fast mobile phones change,” he said.

“The integration of systems in areas not previously used before means you constantly have to research into changes – not only in IT but the changes in the fields of the people you’re working for.”