Mark joined ESB in 2020 as part of the Graduate Development programme after which he was offered a permanent position as Scrum Master. He tells us about his role within our Digital Factory team and his future career plans.
Tell us about yourself
I am originally from Drumcliffe, Co Sligo and I studied Enterprise Computing at Dublin City University. Outside of work, I enjoy running, playing tag rugby and watching all types of sport.
Tell us about your role at ESB?
I joined ESB in 2020 as part of the IT graduate programme. During my time so far, I worked in a variety of roles including Software Licensing, Business Analyst, and supporting Digital and IT Business Partnering. I completed my programme earlier this year and started a new, permanent role as a Scrum Master within the IT Delivery team.
What does the role of Scrum Master involve?
I work with the development team which consists of designers, developers, and testers to understand how their work is progressing and to remove any impediments that may hinder a project's progress. I ensure everyone is on the same page regarding our project objectives, and help to promote a cohesive and productive work environment. The role is about fostering an atmosphere where the entire team can work together seamlessly to achieve our common goal and project delivery.
Why did you choose ESB for your graduate programme?
I chose ESB's graduate programme for a number of reasons. The structured rotations appealed to me because I wasn't entirely sure which area in IT that I wanted to specialise in. The programme's focus on learning and development stood out. It offered well-structured training modules, opportunities for collaborative innovation projects with fellow graduates, and a really supportive work environment. It seemed like a place where I could learn and grow. One of the deciding factors for me was ESB's values—courageous, caring, driven, and trusted—resonated with my own values. It felt like a good fit, both professionally and personally.
What have been the biggest challenges and opportunities during your time with ESB?
I've encountered unique challenges and promising avenues for career growth.
Having started my graduate programme during COVID, it was a challenge to navigate what is a dynamic work environment and build my network while working remotely. Since returning to the office last year, I've been actively working on establishing a presence at our new head office, which is helping me forge new connections beyond my immediate team and contributing to my overall career development.
There are many exciting opportunities for my career development. ESB's commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2040 aligns with my passion for contributing to meaningful, sustainable initiatives. It allows me to continuously enhance my skills in agile project management, team facilitation, and conflict resolution.
Tell us one thing someone may not know about working at ESB?
There are more than 800 people working in ESB’s IT business area, across various projects and delivering customer-focused services. The group is really focused on being digital and data driven with our ever-evolving IT landscape making a real impact in shaping Ireland's low carbon energy future. It's a journey I'm excited to be a part of, and I believe it will shape my professional development in profound ways.
How does your work align with our Net Zero strategy?
I'm currently involved in a project to upgrade our company websites to ensure they are fully accessible for all users. This aligns with the group’s focus of empowering customers, providing them with the information, and products and services required to transition to Net Zero.
One key aspect of my work involves promoting reusability and developing assets and tools that allow website editors to make changes without needing the coding skills of a developer. This approach is embedding a learning culture that supports ongoing capability development and a continuous learning approach. This aligns with the group’s commitment to being digital and date driven with a focus on creating a culture of innovation, collaboration and agile ways of working.
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