It’s Kian Jackson’s turn in the spotlight this month. Kian has joined the team as part of a work experience programme, as he completes his T-Level qualifications at Calderdale College. With aspirations of one day becoming a senior network engineer, discover how his passion for all things coding and tech have led him here, and his experience with the Vapour team so far. He shares all in our latest Q&A.

Take it away Kian…

How did you first get into the world of tech?

When I was in Secondary School, we covered the basics of simplistic coding, which was my first introduction into working in tech. When it came to choosing my career path, I took the T-Level approach which has allowed me to advance and develop my knowledge, technical ability and skills in the sector. I’m so grateful for these more technical-based qualifications, as I’ve been able to explore the subject in much more detail, with industry examples.

Undertaking work placement opportunities like this with Vapour also allows me to gain real-life experiences to put what I am learning into practice. It’s been a valuable experience so far.

And what is your earliest memory of tech in your life?

Watching my brother play on his computer when I was younger stands out as my earliest memory. He mostly used it to play video games and have fun exploring digital technology – I remember being so surprised at what was possible with such small devices.

What’s the one quality you need to thrive in this environment (especially at Vapour)?

Creativity and an open mind. In tech there are always a range of different outcomes and ways of doing things. You should be open to options and alternative methods to really excel, rather than being tempted to stick with how it’s always been done previously.

And what is the one thing you would change about the tech sector?

I’d like there to be more straight-talking people in tech. When you’re first starting out it’s hard to find mentors and learn from people in different specialist areas. It’s a complex industry and often encounters some barriers in terms of buy-in from colleagues – with more people who understand its capabilities, we could break down those blockers.

Why do you think Vapour stands out in the channel?

I’ve been really impressed by how the channel works and the partnerships Vapour has within the industry. These collaborations – in addition to the team’s technical experience – means it’s possible to deliver highly personalised and powerful solutions relevant to organisations’ individual needs.

Complete the sentences:

The best piece of tech ever invented is...

The computer. Just think how reliant we are on its existence, every day at work. In both a personal and professional environment, it allows us to access so much information and has capabilities that very few of us truly capitalise on.

I could say something like the CPU or RAM, but one doesn’t work without the other, so for me it has to be the overall machine itself.

The next purchase on my (personal) tech wishlist is...

A more powerful computer… can you sense a running theme?

It’s great to be able to update specs so you aren’t limited to what you can do, giving me much more variety. Increasing the process power and graphics capabilities will also help with my development in the coding world too.

A tech firm that has really stood out for me in the last 12 months is...

It’s hard to say – most brands that I’m familiar with in the industry often have to collaborate and work together to ensure compatibility across devices, so it’s hard to identify just one.

The biggest misconception in the channel is...

The complexity of code. It’s a completely different language but isn’t given the same acknowledgement. People only see the front-end that’s meant to be viewed by the end-user, without understanding what goes on behind the scenes or what it is truly capable of.

By the end of 2022, our tech will have made organisations far more...

Versatile. Often people use technology to fill a particular need, but it can offer so much more than that if you ask the right questions of teams like Vapour.