Profile: Michael Dell
After graduating with an Engineering degree, I spent 5 ½ years
working for a small software company. I was managing a team working on fingerprint and facial
recognition, but realized that my employers had little or no interest in developing me or my
career."
– MICHAEL DELL
Metaswitch Networks are different in that respect. Although many companies pay lip service to personnel
development in their glossy brochures, Metaswitch Networks really treat it as a commitment, backed up by significant
support, and pressure,
from the Chairman down. In my first 6 months here, I'd received more constructive feedback than in the
entire 5 ½ years in my previous role. What I find particularly encouraging is that the support and
development is very much driven by me, so my career is moving in the direction I choose and at the
speed I dictate, within reason.
Most of the people here have never worked anywhere else. I found it something of a culture shock
being dropped into the environment with already developed work practices and preconceptions. The Metaswitch Networks
culture is very strong, and it is something the company is rightly proud of. In order to get on, I had
to learn the Metaswitch Networks way of doing things I thought I already knew how to do, which was pretty hard on my
ego. The company is open to ideas for change, however. As someone with different experiences, I am well-placed
to make suggestions for how things could be improved. Proposals which are well-founded and sensible
rarely fall on deaf ears around here.
Now, after 5 ½ years, I'm back to managing a software development team. I work from home 3 days a
week, which provides the right work-life balance for me, and Metaswitch Networks are happy to support me in this. I don't
really have an average day. I could be working on low-level technical tasks, helping out with pre or
post-sales technical support, getting involved in requirements planning for future releases, working on
personnel development for someone in my team or doing the day to day work required to run a development
project.
I would definitely recommend anyone who is really looking for a job which is going to challenge and
develop them to consider Metaswitch Networks. Do take care though. You might be successful, and then you'll find that
they really do challenge you! It'll be worth it though.