Giuliano Serrao

A Classics degree and a Master of Software Development provide Giuliano with a combination of empathy, communication, and technical skills.

I have always been fascinated by the ancient world, especially Roman and Greek history. After moving to New Zealand, I chose to take this passion to the next level and completed a BA in Classics. My plan at the time was to either stay in academia or become a secondary school Latin teacher.

Many moons later, after I had an established career in the cultural heritage sector, I felt I needed a change. I had a long-standing fascination with STEM subjects and chose to study Software Development. I felt the need to work on more tangible, outcome-based projects and I believed learning how to code would give me that opportunity and future-proof my career.

I absolutely loved to immerse myself in the poetry, prose, and social history of the ancients. To me this was almost like time travel. The study of the Classics also helped me to understand the modern world, as many of today's ideas, philosophies, and views on life originated over 2000 years ago. Software Development, on the other hand, challenged me to learn and apply new technical information every day. But the reward, when the software finally worked as expected, was and continues to be a real thrill, in a way that I have not experienced before.

During my studies, I worked part time as a support person for disabled people. This experience led to me working in this field for a decade. My time at university certainly helped me to learn how to be around others and work collaboratively. I believe my BA was also instrumental in my rising through the ranks of the organisation. As I was offered more and more complex management roles, the analytical, research, and writing skills I had acquired from my arts degree supported my transition. Of course, I could never have transitioned to the IT sector if I had not gained my Master of Software Development. This has been a very worthwhile experience which has given me the tools to move into a new career and has opened many doors for me.

I believe everything we learn, academically or not, can be helpful and boost our career prospects. Personally, even if I am now employed in a technical role, I rely on my ability to read, understand, and summarise information daily. You cannot underestimate how important it is to write effectively, be it a short email to your boss or a proposal to the city council—good grammar and an effective writing style will take you a long way.

I have recently started a new role as a database engineer with Snapper Ltd. Previously I was employed by NIWA as a data manager and was responsible for validating and inputting data. Navigating the complexities of working during COVID-19 has been difficult, but I was lucky to be able to work remotely throughout lockdown. Working in IT certainly has its advantages and being able to work remotely during times of upheaval or when personal circumstances require it is an advantage of being in this industry.

My advice to students is to follow your passion and give it your best. And remember the only constant in life is change. Nothing stops you from re-evaluating where you are at in the future and pivoting into something new by studying a subject that can boost your employability, whether that be Classics or Computer Science. Expand your network and ask those who are working in your chosen area a lot of questions—you will be surprised by the advice you may receive from those who have more experience. And finally, put continuous improvement to the forefront of your priorities. This will allow you to stay current with trends and technologies and will set you aside from the competition.