Charlie Gough
What inspired you to join IT Services?
I wanted to do more with my life than just be a delivery driver. I was interested in IT and wanted to challenge myself so I looked for career path that I thought I would enjoy. An advert for apprentices at Oxford University caught my eye, but I didn’t initially apply as I didn’t meet all the requirements. Eventually I did apply though, I was accepted, and I haven’t looked back since.
What was your journey to the position you now hold?
I had several jobs before I was nineteen. Before this role, I was a delivery driver; I felt I had no career path and was keen to find something challenging to focus on, and that I would enjoy doing. I am a self-confessed IT enthusiast and got into IT after leaving school so I thought I’d see what opportunities were out there.
Although, I didn’t meet all the criteria for the apprenticeship, I applied anyway and indicated on my application that I would complete the requirements, which I since have. I thought that even getting an interview would be good experience and didn’t think I’d get the job. But I did! Following my two-year apprenticeship, I became a full-time member of IT Services putting to use the skills I learned and looking after the core network at the University. I’ve been here around three years in total now.
What do you enjoy about working here?
I was really shy and didn’t know how to communicate well. I am also autistic and was quite depressed before working here, but the job has really helped me. My manager has been great and encouraging and so has my whole team.
I really enjoy my work and have some freedom in choosing how I achieve my goals. It’s also great that I’m not stuck in an office all the time. I get to meet lots of interesting people across the University, and also see some really fascinating places such as basements and lofts of colleges and nearly everything in between. There’s nothing I don’t like about my job – it’s all good.
What advice would you give someone thinking about applying to work at the University?
Just go for it, and don’t worry. Oxford is not full of people in suits, just regular, nice people doing their job. I felt I had nothing going for me and working here has changed my life in such a massive way.
As I write this, I have just heard that I passed my apprenticeship with a distinction, you can do this too.
