Joe Dunleavy- Global Head of Innovation at Endava

1. Can you tell us your name, job title and the course you studied at ATU? Joe Dunleavy, Global Head of Innovation at Endava.

I studied 3 courses at ATU over the years. BSc. In Computer Science in ATU Sligo,  Master of Business in Innovation and leadership (2010 – 2012) and more recently a master of arts in UX design and applied innovation (2020 – 2022) both in ATU Donegal.

2. Can you share your career path to date?

I started my career 20 years ago as a software developer in Microsoft in Dublin, then worked in a tech startup in Sligo on the campus of ATU Sligo, following that I moved to Letterkenny to work for Pramerica Systems Ireland Ltd (subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. in the US). I worked for Pramerica for 16 years (3 years for our parent company living with my family in the US on an international rotation) in various roles and more recently I now work in a global innovation role for Endava (13,000 people digital company) from my house here in Donegal. More details can be found on my LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedunleavy/

3. What does your current role involve?

Helping to drive innovation inside Endava with our staff and working with clients across various technologies and industries to help them deliver on their innovation agenda including the adoption of emerging technology.

4. What motivated you to start studying?

I loved playing with computers when I was younger and I was also was a gamer so tech was always something I had an interest in so going to study computer science and coding just made sense for me to pursue a career in tech. I have always been a geek so tech was something I leaned towards while in school.

5. Why did you choose this course from ATU?

Sligo is my home town so it was great to have an opportunity to study in ATU Sligo. After I moved to Letterkenny I wanted to continue to grow my skills and career so doing the masters courses locally in ATU Donegal was something I was delighted to have the option of doing. I loved my experience studying in ATU over the many years.

6. How did you find the process of studying online? What elements did you find helpful? Were there elements you found challenging?

I feel the experience studying online worked very well. I was nervous at first as to how studying a masters fully online would work out but in the end it was a great experience. We used tech such as MS Office, Teams, Miro and Figma and that really helped when delivering on course materials and working with other students from across the country. I also feel the skills picked up doing the course remotely helped me massively in getting me ready for my role with Endava which was also fully remote.

7. How did you balance work and study?

It was hard at times but it just took commitment to blocking out time in my calendar to study and do the coursework. I found by scheduling it in my work calendar was a big help for me. Work was also very supportive of me doing the course and they were flexible when I needed some time for assignments etc. I also did my final masters project on something that brought value for Endava which helped with time commitments as I wrapped up the course.

8. In terms of your employer, were they supportive of your decision to study? Were there elements of the course that were particularly relevant to your current employer?

Yes they were very supportive both with time and financially they helped me also. As mentioned previously there was critical skills learned on the course that really helped me in my professional capacity also.

9. What advice would you have for anyone considering studying online?

Do not over think it. You will love it, ATU courses are very well designed for online delivery and it will be so beneficial for you and your career.

10. In what way has studying online with ATU benefitted your career?

As above I covered that in some of my other answers. I can say without the investment in the college courses I would not have had the career I have had to date.

11. Did this course provide any unexpected benefits to your career?

The course introduced me to the platform Miro which was a game changer for me and a platform heavily used in Endava so to have got a chance to work heavily with Miro in advance of my move to Endava was very helpful.

12. Did you find that the elements you were studying had practical relevance in your day-to-day role?

Yes the course was very much focused on tools and techniques that are used in a commercial technology business like Endava. I would describe the course as very applied in that regard.

13. What were the key skills you took away from your time studying at ATU?

Too many to list but training on things such as Design Thinking, UX and Miro have been invaluable in preparing me to be successful in my current role.

Learn more about the Master of Business Innovation & Leadership

Learn more about the Master of Arts UX Design & Applied Innovation