Ciara Fennessy
Solutions Developer, Deloitte Ireland
Ciara Fennessy, Solutions Developer at Deloitte Ireland, joined via the 2022 NextGen Tech Academy. She develops cloud-based client solutions, thriving in a fast-paced, collaborative and inclusive environment.
What did you study in college, and how did that lead to your passion for technology?
I do not come from a typical tech academic background; I studied English Literature and Italian at Trinity College Dublin. I always liked analytical subjects in school. In my final year of university, I took a module that focused on using natural language processing (NLP) — a cornerstone of generative AI models like ChatGPT — to analyse large corpora of text.
I loved this module and the way it blended abstract questions and critical thinking with analytical and data-driven arguments. From that point onwards, I became interested in emergent technology and its novel applications in solving modern problems.
What was it about Deloitte and the NextGen Tech Academy that first caught your attention?
I love to learn, so when I saw that Deloitte Ireland’s NextGen Tech Academy included a period of paid immersive learning, I jumped at it. It was also open to people who were interested in technology but had no prior experience or education in tech. Overall, it was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a challenge, and a career in consultancy appealed to me because of how varied the work and clients can be.
The fast-paced, varied work
keeps me learning and growing.
What new skills did you learn during your time in the NextGen Tech academy?
I really had no applied knowledge about technology going into the NextGen Tech Academy. It was a completely clean slate for me. I learned everything from how to code my own basic app to complex cloud deployments. The training is quite intensive, but the instructors were very supportive, and there was a strong spirit of helping one another out among the learners.
Can you share a favourite moment or project from your time in the programme?
Our final project involved deploying an application and connected database in the cloud, complete with a CI/CD (continuous integration and continuous development) pipeline, allowing for near-automatic updates to be made to the application. It was a group project that was very challenging and required a high degree of teamwork.
We presented our projects to engineering leadership at Deloitte, answering their questions in relation to our code or process. It was a highlight, and I was surprised by how many questions I could answer. I realised I had learned so much so quickly.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
What I enjoy is solving complex technical problems that drive real client value. The fast-paced, varied work keeps me learning and growing. I also appreciate working with my skilled, inclusive team whose diverse technical experience always helps us find the best outcomes that meet client needs and support their goals.
How did the academy specifically prepare you for the challenges of this position?
The academy gave me the technical literacy and skills I needed to excel in my role. It also gave me confidence in my ability to translate business needs and insights into technological solutions and vice versa.
In what ways has Deloitte continued to support your personal and professional growth?
Deloitte is a great place to begin your career; you get exposure to many different industries and work alongside very experienced and driven colleagues who support you every step of the way. There are also many support networks and social activities that help you build a community while at work.
Take the leap and apply to NextGen Tech Academy 2025 today.
