Alumni Spotlight - Ian Garland
“Studying opened new doors for me and it could for you too. Choose a subject that genuinely excites you and just go for it – even if you don’t immediately land your dream job, college is a great way to meet like-minded people, improve your self-confidence, and gain skills you had no idea existed.”
Having graduated seven years ago with a degree in Computing, Ian is now successfully working in industry. We chatted to him about his time at UHI Perth and found out more about the career path he took after graduating.
Can you introduce yourself?
Ian Garland from Perth.
What course did you study at UHI Perth?
BSc (Hons) Computing from 2013-2017.
Why was this the right course for you?
I’ve always been fascinated by computers. That said, it wasn’t until I arrived at UHI Perth that I realised how incredibly satisfying it is to fix a bug that’s been troubling you for days, or to code something cool for no reason other than enjoyment.
The course I took not only gave me these skills but taught me how to approach problems creatively and what to do when things don’t go to plan.
What do you think about the style of teaching and the support you’ve received from tutors and lecturers?
One of the great things about UHI Perth is that the classes are generally smaller than at larger universities. This means more one-on-one time with lecturers, which really helped when I ran up against an issue I just couldn’t solve on my own.
Many of my lecturers (including Derek Summers, Ian Turnbull, and Russell Hunter) were more than happy to sit down and really walk you through a problem if you were having a tough time. I think that’s a fantastic approach and one that goes a long way towards fostering a love of the field itself.
Upon starting your course, did you have a clear idea of the career path you wanted to follow after UHI?
I had dabbled in freelance writing while at college but didn’t have any specific plans for the future. When I left, however, I was lucky enough to land bigger, more interesting jobs because of the skills I’d gained at UHI Perth.
Are you currently employed? If so, can you tell us who your current employer is, what you are currently doing and what does your work involve?
At the moment, I’m writing for Comparitech. We try to demystify technology so that everyone, not just experts, can be a little safer online.
The best part about this job is that it’s so varied: one day I could be fiddling about with a Raspberry Pi and the next I’m researching the data-collection policies of popular shopping apps. This also means that things never get stale, so I’m always excited to start work in the morning.
How do you feel your studies have helped you with your career? Was there anything you did whilst at UHI that you think helped you secure your job?
On one hand, my studies taught me how computer systems, networks, and operating systems work, which is essential knowledge for anyone who wants to write about tech. However, I think the main thing that I took away from UHI Perth was a deep sense of curiosity about technology and a desire to do try things just to see if they’re possible.
What were the steps you took from graduation to your current role?
Initially, I began reviewing computer hardware for a different website. Once I’d built up a decent portfolio of work, I felt confident enough to seek out other roles, and replied to any job postings that seemed interesting.
Where would you like to go with your career in the future?
At some point in the future, I’d like to write another book. Ideally, I’d create something that makes people excited about the internet and technology in general since the digital landscape has become a sort of algorithm-driven nightmare. It wasn’t always like this, though, and it doesn’t have to be – that’s the broad theme I’d like to present moving forward.
What advice would you give to those considering studying in terms of careers and employment?
Studying opened new doors for me and it could for you too. Choose a subject that genuinely excites you and just go for it – even if you don’t immediately land your dream job, college is a great way to meet like-minded people, improve your self-confidence, and gain skills you had no idea existed.
What are your favourite things about UHI?
Because our class was so small, there was a real sense of camaraderie among us. If one person was struggling, we’d all work together to try and come up with a solution. It was just such a positive atmosphere, so even if you were having trouble, you wouldn’t be embarrassed to talk about it since you knew everyone else had your back. I imagine that’s a level of support you don’t normally get at larger universities.
Best thing about living in Perth?
Perth is an absolutely gorgeous city that’s full of history. If you like exploring the outdoors, you’ll never run out of things to do.
