Fidelity InvestmentsÔÇÖ Andrew Kealy talks to SiliconRepublic.com about his career pivot from journalism to software engineering and his experience in the Leap graduate programme.

In the early 2000s, Andrew Kealy started working at the Independent on Abbey Street in Dublin, where he worked on an early incarnation of the publicationÔÇÖs website. He eventually became an assistant editor, gaining experience in various projects, including newspaper production in both broadsheet and tabloid formats.

After his time at the Independent, Kealy moved to DMG Media, where he held positions as deputy editor of the Irish Daily Mail and deputy editor of the Irish Mail On Sunday.

Driven by his lifelong love for technology, Kealy decided to transition into a tech career. He returned to college and achieved a first-class honours in a HDip in computer science. Subsequently, he joined Fidelity Investments through the companyÔÇÖs graduate programme, Leap.

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What Made Andrew Kealy Pivot to the Tech Industry?

Kealy always had an interest in technology, and his experience working on IT projects at the Independent further fueled his passion. However, he noticed significant changes in the print media industry and decided it was time for a change. With the opportunity to reassess during the lockdown and working-from-home period, Kealy made the decision to pursue a career in the tech industry.

How Did Andrew Kealy Make the Move?

Kealy initially learned coding as a hobbyist, following online courses and building small projects for fun. Recognizing the need for formal education, he went back to college part-time to study software development, ultimately achieving a first-class honours in a HDip in computer science.

Andrew Kealy’s Role and Journey in the Tech Industry

Andrew Kealy joined Fidelity Investments as a software engineer in the FFIO tech team. He works on developing an engine that processes exchange traded fund data using microservices. Kealy found the challenge of this less obvious pivot from journalism to tech appealing and saw it as an opportunity to apply his long-standing interest in the tech industry.

Skills Transferred from Previous Career

Transitioning from journalism to tech, Kealy found that many core skills remained relevant. Skills such as teamwork, clear communication, problem analysis, and the ability to quickly process large amounts of information are valuable in both industries.

Challenges Faced and Overcome

While Kealy was well-prepared for the technical challenges of his new role, he faced difficulties in gaining domain knowledge. Understanding complex financial products and terminology required extensive learning. Kealy successfully navigated this challenge by immersing himself in the lexicon of the product he works on and continuously learning to better understand the problems he is tasked with solving.

Enjoyment of the Tech Industry

Kealy finds great satisfaction in the problem-solving aspect of his job as a software engineer. Analyzing behaviors and devising strategies to achieve desired outcomes are particularly enjoyable. He also appreciates the support of experienced engineers, who willingly help when he faces obstacles.

Advice for Career Pivots into Tech

Kealy emphasizes the vastness of the tech industry and encourages individuals to explore their specific interests within the field. Finding the right fit is crucial. Additionally, he recommends starting out by working in an office environment, as being physically surrounded by more-experienced colleagues facilitates faster learning and skill development.

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