In this episode of Workplus, Richard is joined by Áine McCaughey, Principal Software Engineer at Instil. Áine didn’t grow up dreaming of a job in tech. In fact, she nearly became a biochemist or a secondary school teacher. But a bold nudge from a trusted teacher led her to try computer science, and that changed everything.

Áine shares how she found her feet in software engineering, what her day-to-day work actually looks like, and why she’s so passionate about shaping the future of skills and education in Northern Ireland. She also lifts the lid on Instil’s culture, what makes apprentices succeed, and why industry collaboration matters more than ever.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The path into tech doesn’t have to be perfect or planned. Sometimes the best decisions come from a gut feeling.
• Teachers can change lives. One teacher’s advice led Áine to explore a career she had never considered.
• Real-world experience matters. Getting into a company early opened doors and built her confidence.
• Apprenticeships are a powerful route into tech. Áine says she would have chosen that path if it had been available.
• Software engineering isn’t just about code. It’s also about problem-solving, communication, and end-user impact.
• Instil’s approach blends technical excellence with a strong culture of mentorship and learning.
• Working in tech means every day is different. Flexibility, curiosity, and resilience are key.
• Collaboration across companies is the only way to fix long-term skills and education challenges.
• Software NI is helping bring schools, government, and industry together to align goals and create lasting change.

BEST MOMENTS

01:23 “I don’t have a ‘I was always meant to be a software engineer’ thing… it just sort of happened.”
04:13 “She was the one that encouraged me to put down computer science as a first choice.”
06:33 “Once I’ve made a decision, I’ve made it. That’s it. I’m going here, computer science.”
08:54 “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. I nearly did.”
14:45 “What I intended to do today didn’t happen. My focus became helping someone else.”
18:03 “Try not to get too much in the weeds. Always think, who is this for?”
25:09 “We all want the same thing, young people in jobs, contributing to the economy.”
29:01 “Clients are asking for our apprentices by name. They’re that good.”
32:59 “I’m devastated I wasn’t born 10 years later. I would’ve loved to do an apprenticeship.”
34:00 “I’m acting like a sponge right now. Soaking up everything to prepare for senior leadership.”

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