Rohit studied Computer Science at NIT Rourkela in India. He later moved to Ireland to pursue his Master’s at the National College of Ireland, where he became a Class Representative and made the most of the wider student experience. After building two years of work experience in Dublin, he secured a role at Apple as a software engineer
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I studied Computer Science at NIT Rourkela, a government college in India and then was a contractor for various companies for a few years before pursuing my masters.
What made you choose Ireland as a place you wanted to work?
The "Silicon Docks" as they call it with the seemingly infinite number of tech companies here.
What was your most memorable experience from your time at NCI?
I was the Class Rep (I am very shy and introverted by nature) and figuring out who needed help and who could offer it was a lot of fun. My favourite memory is the library, I was there everyday and I still go occasionally with my alumni card. It's a great space for learning and I appreciate the effort the librarians put to facilitate this for the students. Learning to skateboard through the NCISU skate society run by Conor Judge (also a graduate now) was a defining memory as well. The late nights with my friend Taylou who was doing an AI degree at the same time. I guess the best memory was the people I met.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I studied Computer Science at NIT Rourkela, a government college in India and then was a contractor for various companies for a few years before pursuing my masters.
What made you choose Ireland as a place you wanted to work?
The "Silicon Docks" as they call it with the seemingly infinite number of tech companies here.
What was your most memorable experience from your time at NCI?
I was the Class Rep (I am very shy and introverted by nature) and figuring out who needed help and who could offer it was a lot of fun. My favourite memory is the library, I was there everyday and I still go occasionally with my alumni card. It's a great space for learning and I appreciate the effort the librarians put to facilitate this for the students. Learning to skateboard through the NCISU skate society run by Conor Judge (also a graduate now) was a defining memory as well. The late nights with my friend Taylou who was doing an AI degree at the same time. I guess the best memory was the people I met.
How did you hear about your role? (Was it a jobsite, a contact, a recruitment agency, some you met at a careers event etc?)
The Apple Careers website.
What did the recruitment and selection process involve and how did you prepare for it?
My preparation was the two years of work experience in Dublin I'd built up beforehand. The recruitment itself was an extremely long process with more interviews than you'd expect. My process was trying to stay calm and collected making sure everything at home was stable so it didn't bleed into the interviews. I trusted my own technical knowledge and communication to get through. The rest was luck as they say.
Can you describe the visa process you underwent? (Did you get Stamp 1G or Critical Skills – has that changed since joining etc)
I was guided by the company's team to get a Critical Skills work permit for the role.
What is a typical day like in your current role?
With the work being about making great software, you can imagine all that comes along with it. Debates, meetings, fun and also the occasional pressure to perform.
What do you like most about working in your current role or profession?
The people. The culture is very open to conversation and the people at Apple are almost strikingly nicer than I expected.
What has been the most challenging part of your graduate journey?
Trying to deal with everything else that comes with trying to enter the job market. You have to be able to perform at your best while also trying to maintain life at home.
What are your Top 3 tips for current students and graduates who are looking to enter the job market in Ireland.
My Top 3 tips would be:
1. Have some empathy for the people you reach out to on linkedin. The timeline for getting a job is understandably stressful but blind messaging on linkedin asking for a referral is not trust building and can start a relationship off on the wrong foot, or in a large number of cases, close the door completely.
2. Communication is almost as important if not more than technical depth. Learn to speak concisely, confidently (but not out of your depth) and in a way that invites discussion not answering a test. Saying "I don't know" is one of the best answers you can give if done in a way that engages the person on the other end.
3. Always ask questions, whether to your professors, your friends, your recruiters or your interviewer. A good question can take you a lot further than answering questions in a closed way.
A bonus tip would be that your existing network is probably more connected than you think. Invest in them rather than expect a job through them right away and it should pay dividends later.