I studied Computer Engineering in Sligo IT and completed a placement with Jalmia. I joined full time when I finished my degree. Jalmia is a great place to work with lots of challenging projects to help build my skills and experience. There is a very collaborate culture in Jalmia where all colleagues provide assistance if there are any specific challenges to be addressed. The work is always varied and I like dealing with clients from different business areas. Working so close to home offers a great work life balance, traffic is not a problem on my daily commute. Also our company set up and run the local coder dojo in Tubbercurry teaching kids to code which I find really fulfilling.

My Name is Alex Courlander-Whelan, I am 22 years old, originally from Dublin but currently working and living in Sligo.My adventure in Sligo started when I was 18 years old and I moved here for college. I studied Computer Systems and Networking in IT Sligo and also took part in many other activities such as secretary and player for the rugby team.

After my college experience I moved back to Dublin for work as following on from my college work placement I was offered a full time job, where I worked for 2 years. During this time I always wanted to move back to Sligo, and made several visits back to the region when I could. I received an opportunity to return with a position on the support desk in Clanwilliam Health. I was delighted to move back to Sligo, it gave me to option to expand my professional career whilst also giving me a chance to get real life experience.

I think having experienced college here made the move very straightforward for me, but even if I hadn’t studied here, it would have been easy to settle in Sligo. There is always something going on in the community and it makes it easy to get to meet new people.