The Contractor Corner - Gerard Casey’s Story

Welcome to the third instalment of The Contractor Corner: Building Insights from our Community, a blog series dedicated to exploring the world of contracting.
In this ongoing series, we aim to offer valuable insights and firsthand experiences from contractors who have embarked on this journey.
Our goal is to shed light on the benefits, challenges, and opportunities that come with being an independent professional.

In this edition, we sit down with Gerard Casey, a seasoned IT contractor, to delve into his contracting journey and glean insights from his wealth of experiences.
With eight years under his belt, Gerard's journey to senior system admin offers a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of the contracting world. Join us as we uncover the twists and turns of Gerard's career path, his thoughts on upskilling, and his aspirations for the future in the ever-evolving IT industry!

• What has your contracting journey looked like to date?

To tell you the truth I don't think I've actually thought about it until now. Well, I’ve been contracted to my client for eight years now. Before that I was in a couple of banks for short periods of time. I began in the HRB as a temp receptionist and was given more and more IT tasks as time went on. The manager at the time was aware I had an IT background and after about a year he made me Junior system admin. I really just hit it off with everyone there and put my head down. The constant encouragement and the variety of challenges that came my way, broadened my knowledge and skill set.

• Can you tell me a little bit about your background and how you got started in your contracting role?

I actually have a heavy customer service background, mainly in giving bad news though (apparently I have a knack for taking the edge off bad news!) A couple of the roles I had were focused around this, but the specifics of the role itself can get to you after a while. So much so that I took a job working in an ice rink to get away from it for a while. It was tough going after that to find a job due to the situation the economy was in at the time but then my current position landed in my lap.

• What was your biggest reservation or concern about accepting your first contract opportunity? Do you still have this concern/reservation today or by the end of your contract opportunity?

 Easy, will there be another one after it or how long to get the next one. I don’t think about it as often but it’s certainly in the back of my mind, despite the fact I've been here 8 years now. Although I love it here, I do still keep an eye on what’s out there, business needs change and contractors need to be ready and flexible just in case.

• When you began your career, what did you envision for your future?

 I definitely knew I would be involved in a computer based career but to be honest, I didn't have the head for coding and I thought programming was going to be it. It’s one thing knowing a bit of Sql but hats off to coders and programmers.

• Did you ever consider that it may be working as a self-employed contractor?

Not when I was younger, I was a bit short sighted in that regard but before becoming a self-employed contractor, I definitely entertained the idea a few times.

• What did you enjoy most/least about operating as a contractor?

It definitely has a bit more freedom to it and I do enjoy the negotiation when a new contract is being drafted. I least like the financial loss when having to take unplanned sick leave.

• What did you consider to be your biggest accomplishments as a contractor? Were there any standout moments or significant achievements in 2023 that defined your exceptional year?

Going from starting as a receptionist and progressing all the way to senior system admin is what makes me happy just thinking about it. Mainly because I've earned it on the quality of my work. I must be doing something right if they keep asking me back.

2023 was a crazy year on a professional and personal note. Being asked to make the jump to senior system admin was a definite highlight and changed the course of my year completely. The project work was very intense at times and the learning curve was fairly steep, obviously I managed it but it definitely wasn’t easy. I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to get things done before the birth of my daughter. I didn’t want to leave things hanging over me while I enjoyed the moment.

• How often would you consider upskilling as a contractor and how do you think this helped in your success as a contractor in the IT industry?

I wouldn’t be great at following my own advice but I'd say, often enough. As a contractor your skills are what get you in the door and then they’re what keep you in. In the IT industry and in particular Microsoft is constantly changing the relevance of exams and qualifications and it’s important to have the most up to date version of what certification a role requires but if you can always reach for a certification that compliments what you already have, it’ll enable you to specialize in an area, which is a little more lucrative.

• Are there any networking groups, or key supporters who have helped your career progression?

Not so much networking groups but I do read a lot of articles on LinkedIn; obviously it’s not all relevant but the network I've connected with provides a lot of good insights. A key supporter of mine would be my current director. He hired me initially but has given me every opportunity to succeed and to better myself.

• What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field, and what qualities or skills do you think are essential for success when starting out as an independent professional?

In my field on your first contract, be flexible and adapt to your surroundings quickly, you're being watched to see how you can cope with tasks and situations. Value your own time and learn to prioritize. If you have to ask questions, make them probing questions, you learn nothing from a yes or no answer. Any customer service skills are worth their weight in gold, certainly having patience with people is very much appreciated especially with the less technically minded.

• As you look ahead, what are your hopes and aspirations for your career path in the coming year? Are there specific goals or milestones you aim to achieve?

There are quite a few Microsoft exams I'd like to have under my belt, so I'd like to get some of them. I don’t have any specific milestones this year, I haven't set anything out just yet but it would be nice to be Icon Contractor of the Year 2024!

• Finally, what do you see as the biggest challenges or opportunities facing the IT industry now and in the coming years, and how do you think contracting will be impacted by these changes?

I’d love to say something other than AI, it’s a bit cliche now at this point but AI is where the pulse is at the moment. Learning about it would be a feather in anyone's cap but harnessing it is the way to go, creating apps and creating monitoring systems. I can see the more repetitive natured contract roles taking a hit such as roles in monitoring, and quality control and even resource management.

As we wrap up this edition of The Contractor Corner, we extend our gratitude to Gerard Casey for his candid reflections and invaluable insights into the contracting world. Gerard's journey, marked by perseverance and adaptability, serves as a testament to the limitless possibilities of a contracting career. From navigating uncertainties to seizing opportunities for upskilling, Gerard exemplifies the resilience and determination essential for success in the IT industry. We hope Gerard's story has inspired and informed aspiring contractors, offering valuable insights into navigating the contracting landscape with confidence and ambition. Join us in the next edition of The Contractor Corner as we continue to explore the diverse experiences and perspectives of our contractor community.

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