INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Time to love and live life in this buzzing sector

Set within the historic grounds of a renovated gun powdered mills just metres from the buzzing village vibe of downtown Ballincollig, at first sight it’s hard to believe that you’ve arrived at one of the world’s biggest software multi-nationals. VMware Cork: a working utopia? Evelyn Kerge, for one, seems to think so.

The native of Estonia with a degree/background in graphic design first moved to Ireland in 2009 in search of a new life, a better standard of living and, needless to say, adventure. After hearing about the greatness of VMware through the grapevine of her social network, she was soon drawn to the company’s fold.

“Some of my friends were working in VMware,” she explains. “So I’d always heard about the stories about how interesting it is to work with customers and technical support. It all began for me when I heard about a pilot work placement program with the company.”

After her successful application for the course, Evelyn became one of the first 20 people who were trained within the VMware course and after three months she gained her first contract with the outfit.

In what is regarded as being one of the most dynamic working environments in the business, the Estonian has since moved through the ranks; advancing from Support Engineer to Premier services , before acquiring her current position as global tech leader with storage.

“I basically work with our R&D team and with productivity continuity so our customers get the best product they can. VMware provided all my training — so it was a case of free knowledge. It’s really the perfect place to be able to switch between different roles,” she said.

For Evelyn, VMware goes beyond her office cubicle however. “The atmosphere is great here. We have a vibrant sports and social club who are constantly organizing events from bowling to tasting nights in local restaurants. “We also have lots of possibilities to travel — not only for higher level positions. For example, a technical support engineer could be sent to our HQ’s in Bangalore or Broomfield (California). As long as you want something with VMware — there are loads of options.”

Just a few work stations across the complex in VMWare sits Lucien Silbiu — a more recent VMware transplant who made the move to Ireland just nine months ago.

Originally from Silbiu, in Romania, Lucien made the trip to Ireland via a stint in Germany and Italy — two nations which have helped him reach his status as a five language polyglot.

“My girlfriend relocated here to Ireland so I was obviously looking too — but I didn’t want to just choose the first job I came across. So after researching, I found VMware, applied for a job and had a telephone interview with one of the senior revenue supervisors.”

Given his extensive experience and wide language skills which spanned both the Romance and German markets, Lucian was not too surprisingly a shoe in.

Six months in, life with his role as revenue contract manager is going swimmingly, all thanks to what he describes as an excellent work culture with VMware.

“Revenue isn’t the easiest department to work in — there are a lot of responsibilities. But there’s a great support network at VMware” he explains.

“They appreciate that it’s a learning by doing environment with the job so they are really great with guidance and training. I feel myself growing positively which brings a lot of confidence in the decisions you make — and I feel very good with that.”

As for Ireland, the affair with Cork and beyond has been just as gushing.

“My girlfriend and I really love Ireland, we have already done the tours to the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway — in our first six months.”

Daily life in Cork has also offered a more open change to his previous life of living in Frankfurt, Germany.

“We both really want to establish ourselves here for now”, he begins. “Ireland has embraced us really well. I was quite amazed. People even salute you on the street. Up until now there have been really been no negatives. It’s perfect — I couldn’t ask for more. Well, actually, maybe the trains?!”

His advice for those considering a switch to VMware Cork?

“Without regret, just do it. I can only recommend the company. We all want to grow, we all want to develop, we all want to improve and I think this is the perfect company to make all these things happen.”