Lydia Callan

My journey into the tech world was far from conventional. Unlike many who have a clear vision of their career path, I was quite the opposite. I had a lot of unexpected turns that lead me to where I am today, as DevOps Engineer at Capgemini.

After navigating the uncertainties of school and career choices, Lydia found her passion in the tech world.

During my school years, I wasn’t particularly interested in technology or even sure of what I wanted to do in general. I chose science-based subjects at A Level, but my performance was always average. I never excelled in exams and often felt lost amidst my peers who seemed to have everything figured out.

After completing my A Levels, I found myself at a crossroads. I had no idea if I wanted to go to university, or what direction to take in life. So, I decided to take a year off. This period was mentally challenging as it felt like everyone around me was moving forward while I was stuck in place not knowing what to do.

I took up a job at a bar, which was incredibly fulfilling. It allowed me to be in a people-centric environment, which I loved. The interactions and the vibrant atmosphere helped me gain confidence and develop valuable interpersonal skills. While working at the bar, I also decided to re-sit some of my school exams. I knew I could do better and wanted to prove it to myself. This time, I performed much better, which was a significant boost to my self-esteem. Having faced my own academic struggles, I began tutoring students who were preparing for their exams. I understood the mental challenges they were going through and wanted to offer the support I knew I could give. What started as a way to give back soon developed into a business, which is still running to this day. This venture made me consider my career options more seriously. Despite my worries about not having a university degree, I realized that my skills and experiences were valuable.
I was introduced to the tech world and discovered that it involved much more than just coding alone in a room. It was about working with people, solving problems, and continuous learning. This revelation sparked my interest, and I decided to dive in.
I took it upon myself to learn as much as I could, achieving cloud certifications and completing an apprenticeship. It wasn’t easy, as I had to grasp completely new concepts, but my determination and interest which I didn’t realise I had, kept me hooked.
After my apprenticeship, I joined Capgemini. I’ve been here for three years now and haven’t looked back. The support I’ve received from day one has been incredible. I never imagined I would end up here, but it just shows that sometimes the magic is in not knowing what you want to do. As a DevOps Engineer, I still encounter surprised reactions when I tell people my job role. The stereotype of what an engineer “should be” often doesn’t align with their perception of me. But I’ve learned that tech is a people business. Knowledge and skill are important, but they must be complemented by communication, empathy, and teamwork.
With the support of Capgemini, I’ve embarked on a postgraduate degree at Henley Business School in Business Management. This is another milestone I never thought possible, and it reinforces the idea that the journey is just as important as the destination.
My journey into tech was not a straight path and it shows that it doesn’t have to be, you don’t have to have it all ‘figured out’ (even though I’m still not sure if anyone does) but a series of experiences that shaped me into who and where I am today. Embracing the tech world has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life, and I am excited to see where this journey will take me next. I always remember someone said to me ‘challenge the impossible’ and I think that’s the motto I like to live by.

We are hiring several cloud and DevOps roles in Lydia’s business area. Rewrite your future with Capgemini.