Life beyond Radford
Hamish Podger
- Technology Strategist, Microsoft
What does life look for you now?
I'm now married with a daughter now in year 4 at Radford. I work for Microsoft and have been in the IT industry in Canberra since I finished Uni back in 2000. I've travelled extensively, mostly for work. I'm still friends with many of my Radford buddies and hope to remain so for life!
Tell us what you are passionate about?
I took up cycling a few years ago and have just bought a mountain bike to try something more "off-road". I'm passionate about my family, my job, and pretending I'm still young.
When you were young, what were you hoping to be when you grew up?
I never knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. I always loved tinkering with computers and playing "LAN games" so it makes sense that I ended up in IT! You don't need to know what you want to be, and there's no reason you can't change your mind at any time you like!
What is your favourite Radford moment?
I still have memories, both terrible and wonderful from year 9 camp. It was an amazing experience and brought out the best in a lot of people.
How easy was it to decide what to do in life?
I'm still not certain that I ever decided what to do in life. A lot of inspirational speakers will tell you to work out what you want to do and go for it no matter what. It's great advice, but I never really knew what I wanted to do in life and have lived a philosophy of taking great opportunities when they come along, and make the most of them until the next great opportunity comes along. If you do well at whatever your doing, and take the right turns when the opportunity presents itself, you'll do well! Just recognise when the great opportunity is in front of you, and be willing to take a risk and bet on yourself to succeed.
Did your further study or career go exactly as you'd planned?
No! I started an IT Degree because I liked computers. The freedom that came with university was too much for me and I crashed out of my first year quite badly. I started again the following year at a different uni and a Science degree and ended up studying all sorts of crazy random subjects. At the end of my degree I scored a graduate program position in an IT company anyway! As I didn't really have a plan when I left Radford, it's hard to measure whether things went to plan!
What do you know now, that you wish you'd known when you were at Radford?
Life is not about getting a good score in year 12. Take more risks, volunteer for more opportunities, and it's ok not to have a plan. Oh, and girls are pretty cool, and aren't all that scary ?
What advice do you have for current students?
I think I've said it already. Work hard, but don't stress. Life will work out fine. Take risks in life (within reason!). Be nice to people. Listen to alternative opinions to your own (REALLY listen). Be open minded.
