In this episode John McCabe shares his extensive journey in the tech industry, detailing his early aspirations to build robots, his transition into IT, and his significant experiences at Microsoft. He discusses the importance of being a jack of all trades, the value of humility, and the lessons learned throughout his career. John reflects on his time in the US, the challenges of returning to Ireland, and offers advice for aspiring professionals looking to take risks and grow in their careers.TakeawaysJohn always wanted to build robots as a child.His early career decisions were a blessing in disguise.Becoming a jack of all trades is crucial in IT.John was happy with the crazy projects he worked on.He earned his MVP status through community engagement.Humility is a core value for John in his career.Taking risks can lead to significant opportunities.John learned the importance of saying no to maintain quality.His highlight was working on a $10 billion contract.Arrogance can lead to valuable lessons in humility.Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjizChapters00:00 Introduction to John McCabe's Journey06:09 Transitioning to Microsoft and Becoming an MVP12:07 Content Creation and Community Engagement18:55 Career Growth and Learning through Challenges25:11 Life-Altering Transitions30:16 Connecting with Engineering35:12 Innovative Projects and New Challenges40:25 Career Highlights and Lessons Learned45:25 Taking Risks and Embracing Opportunities

In this conversation, Sarah Carney, the National CTO at Microsoft ANZ, shares her unique career journey from aspiring lawyer to military service, and eventually to a successful career in business development and marketing within the tech industry. She discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her career, the influence of her military background on her work ethic, and the importance of finding purpose in one's career. Sarah emphasizes the value of continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly changing job market, encouraging young professionals to embrace diverse experiences and opportunities.TakeawaysSarah always wanted to be a lawyer, influenced by her father.She joined the army after high school, aiming to fly helicopters.A career pivot led her to work in law firms, focusing on marketing.Military experience instills a strong sense of mission and drive.Saying yes to new opportunities can lead to unexpected paths.Her career spans multiple countries and industries, showcasing adaptability.Finding purpose in work is crucial for long-term satisfaction.Education is important, but learning how to think is paramount.Many successful people in tech do not have traditional degrees.Embrace opportunities that come your way, regardless of expectations.Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjizChapters00:00 From Law to the Army: A Career Pivot02:45 Discovering Passion in Business Development05:48 The Military Mindset: Drive and Service08:42 Global Experiences: Career Highlights and Challenges11:18 Values and Purpose in Career Choices14:13 Reflections on Career Highlights and Lowlights16:50 Advice for the Next Generation: Learning to Learn

In this conversation, Dr. Ian Hoyle shares his extensive career journey from his early interests in science and education to his significant roles at BHP and Microsoft. He discusses the importance of communication skills, the value of teamwork, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures throughout his career. Dr. Hoyle emphasizes the significance of personal values and the impact of relationships in professional growth, providing insights and advice for those starting their careers. Ian also talks about how being diagnosed with Autism helped him understand how he was able to work with his strengths and understand any weaknesses he had and how to overcome them to be successful.TakeawaysDr. Hoyle was always interested in science from a young age.He pursued degrees in theoretical physics and geophysics before transitioning to ITHis first jobs were as a paperboy and in a hardware store , which helped him develop communication skills at an early age.Can you explain your PhD degree to a plumber?He learned to explain complex concepts to non-experts, a skill that served him well.His passion for technology led him to become head of computing at BHP's research labs.He experienced a significant career shift when he was made redundant from BHP.At Microsoft, he held various roles, including account technology strategist and security technical specialist.Being diagnosed with Autism and how that helped him overcome areas of work that he struggled with and how to ultimately be successful at Microsoft.He values being a decent human being and helping others in his career.The highlight of his career was the trip to Israel for a security product launch.He advises to focus on personal values and what one is good at in their career.Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjizChapters00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ian Hoyle02:39 Early Interests and Education05:21 Career Beginnings at BHP07:52 Transition to IT and Internet Services10:55 Growth and Challenges at BHP14:08 Journey to Microsoft17:31 Roles and Responsibilities at Microsoft20:48 Career Highlights and Lessons Learned24:16 Values and Advice for the Future