In this conversation, Dr. Ian Hoyle shares his extensive career journey from his early interests in science and education to his significant roles at BHP and Microsoft. He discusses the importance of communication skills, the value of teamwork, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures throughout his career. Dr. Hoyle emphasizes the significance of personal values and the impact of relationships in professional growth, providing insights and advice for those starting their careers. Ian also talks about how being diagnosed with Autism helped him understand how he was able to work with his strengths and understand any weaknesses he had and how to overcome them to be successful.TakeawaysDr. Hoyle was always interested in science from a young age.He pursued degrees in theoretical physics and geophysics before transitioning to ITHis first jobs were as a paperboy and in a hardware store , which helped him develop communication skills at an early age.Can you explain your PhD degree to a plumber?He learned to explain complex concepts to non-experts, a skill that served him well.His passion for technology led him to become head of computing at BHP's research labs.He experienced a significant career shift when he was made redundant from BHP.At Microsoft, he held various roles, including account technology strategist and security technical specialist.Being diagnosed with Autism and how that helped him overcome areas of work that he struggled with and how to ultimately be successful at Microsoft.He values being a decent human being and helping others in his career.The highlight of his career was the trip to Israel for a security product launch.He advises to focus on personal values and what one is good at in their career.Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjizChapters00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ian Hoyle02:39 Early Interests and Education05:21 Career Beginnings at BHP07:52 Transition to IT and Internet Services10:55 Growth and Challenges at BHP14:08 Journey to Microsoft17:31 Roles and Responsibilities at Microsoft20:48 Career Highlights and Lessons Learned24:16 Values and Advice for the Future

In this conversation, Lizzie shares her journey from aspiring aerospace engineer to a leading role as the Global Azure Infrastructure Sales Strategy Lead at Microsoft. She discusses her early work experiences, the importance of curiosity and compassion in her career, and her commitment to empowering young girls in tech. Lizzie reflects on her transition to the U.S., the challenges she faced, and the values that guide her professional life. She emphasizes the significance of teamwork, resilience, and the need for diversity in the tech industry, offering valuable advice for aspiring professionals.Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjizChapters00:00 From Aspirations to Career Path03:03 Early Work Experiences and Learning06:00 Diverse Roles and Career Development at Microsoft08:56 Transitioning to the U.S. and New Challenges11:55 Empowering Young Girls in Tech15:05 Career Values and Personal Growth17:59 Career Highlights and Lessons Learned20:59 Advice for Aspiring Professionals

Rolf Krolke shares his journey from early aspirations in law to becoming a Regional Technology Director at the Access Group. He discusses his career beginnings in IT, the transition from technical roles to business-focused positions, and his experiences at major companies like Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. Rolf emphasizes the importance of loving what you do, measuring impact, and working with great people. He reflects on the differences between global and regional roles and shares valuable career advice.TakeawaysRolf initially wanted to be a lawyer but shifted to IT.He found his passion in technology through practical applications.Early roles taught him the importance of troubleshooting and problem-solving.Transitioning to a business focus allowed him to help customers more effectively.Microsoft provided a culture of growth and development.AWS was a fast-paced environment focused on building and scaling.Understanding technology is crucial for effective leadership.Global roles offer unique challenges and opportunities.Career values include passion, impact, and collaboration.Being proactive in career development is essential. Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjizChapters00:16 From School to Career Choices03:04 Early Career Experiences and Skills Development05:56 Transitioning from Technical to Business Roles08:43 Career Growth at Dell and Microsoft11:32 Navigating Opportunities at Microsoft14:09 Experiences at AWS and Scaling Challenges17:12 Global vs. Regional Roles in Technology19:50 Core Career Values and Reflections22:10 Highlights and Lowlights of a Tech Career