Technology changes quickly.
But the future of our industry isn't determined by technology alone. It is shaped by the people who are given the opportunity to learn it, work with it and eventually find their own place within the industry.
That's one of the reasons our Director, Jesse, continues to participate in the Charles Darwin University Mentor Program.
For Jesse, mentoring isn't simply about sharing what he has learned throughout his career. It's an opportunity to connect with the next generation of professionals coming into the industry, understand how they see its future and help bridge the space between university and the workplace.
And that exchange works both ways.
As Jesse reflected during one of his previous years participating in the program:
“I thought it was me giving something, but the truth is I am getting a lot of value from this program.”
That perhaps says more about the value of mentoring than anything else.
There is knowledge you can't get from a textbook
University can build technical knowledge and capability.
Industry provides another layer.
It introduces the conversations that happen with a client when something has gone wrong. The judgement required when there isn't an obvious solution. The realities of working across different industries, organisations and communities.
It also helps students understand that building a career in technology isn't necessarily about having their entire pathway mapped out from day one.
Sometimes it's about having someone further along the road who can provide perspective, ask the right questions and help you recognise opportunities you may not have considered.
That's where mentoring can make a genuine difference.
Creating pathways into the Territory's technology industry
For us, this is also about something bigger.
We want talented people studying technology in the Northern Territory to be able to see a future for themselves
in the Northern Territory.
The Territory needs skilled technology professionals, but developing that capability doesn't start when someone applies for a job.
It starts by creating connections between education and industry. By exposing students to real businesses and real career pathways. By giving emerging professionals opportunities to build networks, confidence and practical understanding alongside their qualifications.
Programs that connect students with people already working within the industry help make those pathways more visible.
And when local businesses participate, we're not only investing in individual students. We're contributing to the capability of the industry around us.
We've seen firsthand what can happen when those connections continue beyond the mentoring program.
Two years ago, Jesse mentored CDU IT student
Ahad Chowdhury while Ahad was still studying. Earlier this year, that relationship came full circle when Ahad joined our team as an intern.
The journey from university student, to mentee, to gaining practical experience within the industry is exactly the kind of pathway we want to see more of in the Territory. Not every mentoring relationship will result in someone working with us, nor should it.
The bigger objective is creating an industry where emerging professionals have access to people, experience, networks and opportunities that help them take their next step.
Because when more young professionals find their way into technology careers here, the entire Territory benefits.
An industry grows when people invest in people
At New Future IT, we've always believed technology should create access.
Access to better ways of working for businesses.
Access to technology and support regardless of where an organisation operates.
And access to career opportunities for people who want to build a future in our industry.
That's why initiatives such as the CDU Mentor Program matter to us.
Our industry will continue to evolve. The technology will change. The skills businesses need will change. New challenges will emerge that we haven't even considered yet.
But one thing won't change.
Strong industries are built by people willing to invest in the people coming behind them.
And we'll continue doing our part to help create those pathways.
IT with EQ.
