From Work Experience to Show System Programmer
What started as work experience transformed into a full-time role in just four weeks.
Here's how a passion for programming and control systems led to an exciting career opportunity.
Week 1: Innovation from Day One
Starting with Medialon software on my first day, I was trusted to dive straight into streamlining processes. By developing a script to handle device data more efficiently, we saw immediate improvements. Working alongside Zach (and office-dog Dougie), I refined TCP connections and network communications, culminating in reducing device communication time from 85 to 4.2 seconds.
The first week also included a trip to the Land, Leisure, and Tourism Show in Birmingham - a nice chance to get out, meet new people, and see what's happening in the industry firsthand (including a dinosaur roaming around).
Week 2: Putting Theory into Practice
The real test came with live implementation. Our first site test exceeded expectations, cutting task execution time from 64 seconds to just 6 seconds – a 10x improvement.
Each day brought new challenges in debugging and optimisation. This gave me great confidence as I continued to develop solutions, knowing I was making a real impact.
Week 3: From Intern to Team Member
The week started with intense focus on the user interface logic, making sure every element was perfect for site testing. Then came a moment I'll never forget – Zach offered me a full-time position as a Show System Programmer.
With site testing confirming everything worked flawlessly, it felt like perfect timing. All those hours of development had paid off, not just in a working system, but in a new career.
Week 4: New Beginnings
The final week saw me completing the UI logic, starting Q-SYS Level 1 certification, and even visiting Alton Towers to discuss the Nemesis control system. Between creating efficiency scripts and decorating the office Christmas tree, I signed my contract as a Show System Programmer.
Looking back at these four weeks, the progression from work experience to full-time role showcases how hands-on learning and a drive for innovation can fast-track career development. Special thanks to Zach, the JPSS team, and of course, Dougie, for making this journey possible
A note from Zach:
Sometimes the best professional relationships start in unexpected places. Years ago, I taught Joseph how to kayak through KEW Paddlers, a group I run. He'd join us after getting to know us through his brother, who'd been paddling with us for years.
After finishing university, Joseph reached out to learn more about our work. I set him a simple challenge: pass your driving test first, so you can get to our office independently. True to his determined nature, he did exactly that and came by to learn more. During that meeting, his background in Java and Python programming caught my attention, leading to an offer of paid work experience.
What happened next is clear from Joseph's story above - he mastered Medialon quickly, streamlined our processes, and quickly proved himself invaluable to the team. Making him a permanent offer wasn't a difficult decision - it just felt right.
It's funny how life works sometimes. From kayaking sessions to control systems, you never know where connections might lead.
Learn more about KEW Paddlers at www.kewpaddlers.com