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MY AMBITION IS TO ... [FEATURE]
YOUNG PEOPLE HOLD THE KEY TO NORTHERN IRELAND’S FUTURE AND PROSPERITY. HERE WE TALK TO ANDY MCKEE (24) WHO WORKS FOR THE DIGITAL DIVISION OF BUSINESS ADVISORS DELOITTE, ABOUT HIS ASCENT UP THE CAREER LADDER.
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lways desperate to get his hands on the latest gadgets- be it laptops, game consoles or phones – Andy McKee was hooked on technology from a young age. Growing up in Spa, Co. Down, he attended Spa Primary School and Down High School where his love of technology was nurtured through studies including maths, science and computer studies. Computer Science at Queen’s University, Belfast was the next logical step for Andy – who describes himself as ‘a bit of a geek’ – and it was here where his passion for programming and the language of code was born. “My degree allowed me to spend a lot of time understanding programming languages and how coding worked. I also completed a year-long placement with Latens in Belfast which put my book knowledge into practice. Dealing with clients was daunting at first but soon I felt really at home with the technology.” Graduating in 2010, Andy then spent a year with a small technology house NISoft, which he describes as a fast
paced and highly process driven environment. But always on the lookout for the newest techniques, technology and skills Andy took up a job with Deloitte in 2011. Best known for delivering professional services in accounting, audit and tax, Andy was an early recruit to the Belfast team’s growing technology consultancy practice. He is part of the Deloitte Digital team who focus on delivering exciting digital solutions including mobile app’s and web development. Attracted by the exposure to global clients, rapid development and the opportunity to work with industry experts, Andy quickly immersed himself in the graduate programme. “When I moved to Deloitte, I had a lot of questions from friends like – ‘when did you become an accountant?’ But to me taking the job in the firm’s growing technology practice was the best of both worlds. It allowed me access to the training and development opportunities you’d expect from a global company, and to work on some really exciting international projects, whilst still retaining the culture and dynamism of a small development house.” “There is a really strong
I HAVE AMBITIONS TO BE LIKE BRIAN O'DRISCOLL - A GREAT LEADER AND SPORTSMAN!"
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team ethos in the Belfast office and we try to get together at least once a month for a social. Last month we went to a cookery school which was a good laugh- but I’m definitely sticking to programming computers over programming ovens!” Andy’s skills are certainly taking him in the right direction within Deloitte - this year he picked up a UK wide award for ‘Technology Analyst of the Year’ as well as the ‘Deloitte Digital Newcomer’. He also participated in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain Event, cycling 982 miles alongside 80 colleagues to raise money for charity. And what of his ambitions? For Andy, he's dedicated to developing a "deep understanding" of the technology he works with, and one day hopes to take up the reigns as a Software Architect within the business designing large scale technology for a global client. True to form, Andy’s inspirational figure in life isn’t a rock star or screen god – but is a hardworking, successful technology mogul. “Andy Rubin – he’s a senior executive at Google who oversaw the development of Android. Whilst being very successful, and rich, he still immerses himself in the very technical detail behind his projects- and that’s a real inspiration to me. And not to be too much of a geek, I'll also say I have ambitions to be like Brian O'Driscoll - a great leader and sportsman!"