Engineering Mindset Meets Financial Technology
19 December, 2024
The Journey of a Tech Leader: How Passion, Learning, and Purpose Shape Success
In the latest episode of Code Bytes, hosted by Stephen, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ross Worth, Head of Product at Spectrum.Life. Ross shared his captivating career story, from his early fascination with technology to leading a fast-growing, purpose-driven company that is revolutionizing wellness and mental health solutions. His journey is not just a tale of personal success but one that highlights key themes in the tech industry today, including the importance of learning, passion, and purpose.
Throughout this episode, Ross shares his insights into the tech world, the evolution of his career, and the importance of building teams that are aligned with a company's mission. His experiences, which cover software engineering, product development, transformation and change, and more, offer valuable lessons for professionals across the industry, particularly for those involved in technology recruitment and for businesses looking to attract and retain top talent.
From Software Engineering to Head of Product: A Passion for Technology
Ross Worth’s journey into software engineering started like many others in tech, with a passion for video games and technology. Growing up, he found himself tinkering with systems, building apps, and learning about the early days of the internet. This curiosity led him to study computer science at UCD, where he excelled in technical subjects, laying the foundation for his career in software development.
However, his path wasn’t always straightforward. While Ross initially balanced his interest in arts and technology, his talent for software engineering became clear when his technical grades far surpassed those in other fields. He focused on developing his skills, eventually landing his first job as a QA engineer right out of college. This early role introduced him to large development teams, where he worked on building major systems with companies like RealEx, which is now part of Global Payments. It was here that Ross began to understand the scale and complexity of software engineering, a learning experience that shaped the rest of his career.
For businesses involved in technology recruitment in Northern Ireland and the UK, Ross’s story is a testament to how a passion for technology can lead to long-term success in the industry. Today, technology companies are constantly seeking skilled professionals for jobs in technology, particularly in fields like software engineering, DevOps, and infrastructure and support, where demand continues to rise.
Navigating the Complexities of Technology Recruitment
In his early career, Ross felt that his role as a “small gear in a massive system” limited his ability to fully explore his skills. This sentiment is one that resonates with many individuals working in jobs in technology, particularly in contract roles in technology. These roles, which can be highly specialised, offer opportunities for professionals to explore new technologies and build their expertise. For Ross, hopping between different software engineering roles allowed him to develop a wider range of skills and gain experience in different technologies, all of which contributed to his later success.
For those involved in technology recruitment, Ross’s career highlights the importance of giving candidates room to grow and develop their skills. Professionals in software engineering, software testing, and DevOps often seek opportunities that allow them to explore different technologies and expand their knowledge. Offering candidates roles that provide flexibility and learning opportunities can be key to attracting top talent in these competitive fields.
Ross’s willingness to experiment with different technologies also reflects the demand for adaptability in today’s tech landscape. As companies across the UK and Northern Ireland continue to undergo digital transformations, professionals who can navigate various systems, adapt to change, and learn new skills are becoming increasingly valuable.
A Defining Moment: Volunteering for Transformation and Change
One of the most transformative moments in Ross’s career came when he volunteered his software engineering skills for a charity app that helped shelter dogs find volunteers to walk them. His passion for technology and love of animals led him to reach out to the team behind the project, offering to help build their app for free. This opportunity gave him a chance to build something from the ground up—an experience that taught him more about the software development process than any previous role.
For professionals in technology recruitment in Northern Ireland and beyond, Ross’s story emphasises the value of side projects and volunteer opportunities. These experiences, often found in contract roles in technology, can help individuals develop their skills in a way that traditional roles may not. By taking on new challenges, whether through volunteer work or freelance projects, tech professionals can push the boundaries of their knowledge and gain experience that is invaluable in their career growth.
Ross’s work on the dog walking app also introduced him to the complexities of building product frameworks. For the first time, he was responsible for everything—from the front-end app to the API framework and the cloud infrastructure. This experience shaped his ability to manage larger projects, teaching him to think critically about every aspect of a system’s development.
Leadership in Technology: Infrastructure and Support
As Ross’s career progressed, he eventually moved into a leadership role at Spectrum.Life, where he took charge of building out the company’s technology framework. His experience in infrastructure and support allowed him to design robust systems that could handle the growing needs of their users. Spectrum.Life’s corporate wellness and mental health platform has since scaled significantly, growing from a handful of employees to over 300 people, and Ross’s leadership has been key to that success.
Ross explains how leading a technology team involves more than just technical knowledge. It requires the ability to hire the right people, manage complex projects, and ensure that the infrastructure is both scalable and adaptable. For businesses involved in technology recruitment, especially in infrastructure and support, finding candidates who not only have technical expertise but also strong leadership and project management skills is essential.
At Spectrum.Life, Ross has built a team that is passionate about the company’s mission. He emphasises that passion and dedication often outweigh pure technical skill when it comes to building successful teams. This focus on purpose-driven work is becoming increasingly important in today’s tech industry, where employees want to know that their work has a positive impact.
Purpose-Driven Work and Talent Retention in Technology Recruitment
One of the standout themes in this episode is the importance of purpose-driven work. Ross shares how Spectrum.Life’s mission to improve mental health and wellness has played a significant role in attracting and retaining top talent. Many of the engineers who join his team come from industries like FinTech or gaming, where they often feel disconnected from the impact of their work. At Spectrum.Life, employees can see the direct result of their efforts, whether it’s helping individuals access mental health services or improving corporate wellness programs.
This focus on purpose-driven work is a key takeaway for businesses involved in technology recruitment. Today, candidates are increasingly looking for jobs that align with their personal values, particularly in fields like product, data and AI, and cloud engineering and DevOps. Companies that can clearly communicate their mission and show how their technology makes a difference are more likely to attract candidates who are passionate about their work.
For example, many of Ross’s engineers have stayed with Spectrum.Life for over four years, an impressive feat in an industry where turnover can be high. This success in retaining talent is a direct result of the company’s mission and the sense of purpose that employees feel in their work.
Mentorship and Learning in Technology Leadership
Throughout the podcast, Ross also touches on the role that mentorship has played in his career. Early on, he admits that he was overconfident in his abilities, believing that his self-taught skills were enough to carry him through his early roles. However, as he worked with more experienced engineers, particularly in his role at RealEx, he quickly learned the importance of mentorship and continuous learning.
For professionals in technology recruitment in Northern Ireland and the UK, Ross’s story highlights the value of mentorship in career development. Engineers in fields like infrastructure and support, cloud engineering, and software testing need opportunities to learn from more experienced professionals, especially in areas like system security and project management. Businesses that invest in mentorship programs can help their teams grow and develop, ensuring that they have the skills needed to take on leadership roles in the future.
Ross’s experiences also underscore the importance of soft skills in leadership. While technical expertise is critical, leaders must also be able to communicate effectively, manage stakeholders, and guide their teams through complex projects. These skills are essential for anyone looking to grow in roles like product management, transformation and change, or data and AI.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Technology Recruitment
As the conversation with Ross comes to a close, it’s clear that the future of technology recruitment lies in finding candidates who are passionate about their work and driven by a sense of purpose. For businesses in technology recruitment in the UK and Northern Ireland, understanding what motivates today’s tech professionals is key to building teams that are not only technically skilled but also deeply committed to the company’s mission.
Ross’s journey, from his early days in software engineering to his current role as Head of Product at Spectrum.Life, offers valuable insights into how companies can attract, retain, and develop top talent in fields like cloud engineering, DevOps, product, and software engineering. His story is a reminder that success in technology is about more than just technical skills—it’s about passion, learning, and purpose.
Listen to the Full Episode
For a deeper dive into Ross Worth’s inspiring journey and insights on building purpose-driven teams, listen to the full episode of Code Bytes. Whether you’re involved in technology recruitment or simply looking for career inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for tech professionals and leaders alike.
