Landing your first graduate role can feel like stepping into the unknown — exciting, challenging, and a little bit nerve-wracking. For one recent MSc Computer Science graduate at UCD, Jun Han that journey led to Airtel ATN, a company at the forefront of aviation communication technology.
In this blog, we dive into their experience of joining the team, adapting to new technologies, and growing both personally and professionally. From navigating an unfamiliar protocol stack to embracing a hybrid work style, they share insights on what it’s really like to start out as a software engineer — including the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the advice they’d give to others following a similar path.
How did you go about getting your grad role?
I applied through the career website of UCD in September.
Describe a typical day at Airtel ATN?
When I arrive at the company, I first enjoy a nice cup of coffee, then have a stand-up meeting with the team to report my progress or look for solutions if I’m blocked. After that, I focus on my work. If I run into problems, my manager and team members are always there to help me.
Describe your main tasks and responsibilities?
I worked as a software engineer. My tasks are understanding requirements, designing the code framework, writing code, and testing and writing documentation. Also, I spend some time learning some interesting new techniques.
What are the main challenges?
The main challenge was the technology stack. I was used to working with TCP/IP, but in this project the protocol stack was ATN/OSI. It was quite new to me, so it took some time to learn and get familiar with it.
What’s cool?
What’s cool is the hybrid working style and the friendly team atmosphere. I can balance my work and life better, and at the same time I enjoy collaborating and learning from my teammates.
What’s not so cool?
Honestly, I think everything has been quite good. I really enjoyed the experience.
What skills do you bring to your workplace?
When I worked on testing, I looked for automatic testing tools or wrote simple scripts to reduce repetitive work.
What is your education to date?
I completed a BSc in Computer Science in China. And I am about to graduate with an MSc in Computer Science at UCD.
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
During my year at UCD, I chose many courses that interested me, covering areas such as communications, cloud computing, distributed systems, and data science. I gained exposure to each of these fields, which gave me a pathway to dive deeper into the technologies. This experience helps me quickly get up to speed if my work involves any of them.
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
The most rewarding event was when I quickly adapted to the ATN/OSI protocol stack. At first it was completely new to me, but after studying and practicing I could use it confidently in my work.
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
My advice is to be open to learning. The technology might look difficult at first, but if you keep asking questions and trying, you will adapt quickly. Also, don’t be afraid to communicate with your manager and teammates, they are always helpful.
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
First, I like to think things through. Before starting any task, I make sure to plan carefully, so the implementation goes smoothly. Second, I value communication. I keep my manager updated on my progress to ensure I’m on the right track, and when I face problems, I ask questions in time. Some issues may be beyond my ability, but experienced people can help solve them quickly. Third, I pay attention to detail.
For more about Airtel’s Graduate program, see here
