We spoke with Gregor Leslie, Data Centre Engineer at Pulsant, about his journey from the Royal Marine Reserve into the data centre industry. He shares how his military experience shaped his approach to technical work, what drew him to Pulsant, and how he continues to develop his career in critical infrastructure.
What were you doing prior to joining Pulsant?
Prior to Pulsant the bulk of my military experience came from 43 Commando where I was deployed for 18 months as a full-time reservist with the Royal Marine Reserve. I am also lucky enough to have enjoyed time abroad with the Marines on trips to America, Cyprus and Norway.
How did you come to hear about the role at Pulsant and why did you feel it might be a good fit for you?
I had been looking to start a career in tech following my deployment. I managed to get a position working on a service desk but found the corporate culture of office work didn't really suit me and I wasn't being challenged. When a chance came to work in tech but in a more industrial role I jumped at it.
How would you describe your transition from the military into the data centre industry?
The transition has been an easy one. The data centre is a more industrial environment that mirrors aspects of military life closely. I find my military experience better complements working in an industrial environment than an office.
Which of the skills and experiences that you developed during your time in the armed forces helped you transition into the data centre industry?
Working as a team to solve challenges sounds cliché but it's been something that we do almost every day at Pulsant, especially in the data centre where clients might need technical solutions in a tight timeframe.
What did you find most challenging about the transition and how did Pulsant help with this?
One of the challenges I found leaving the military was missing the camaraderie of working with a tight-knit group of people. Pulsant and the data centre team have made up for this by creating a positive work environment where people look after one another.
What is it like to work at Pulsant and how does that compare with your time in the military?
I really enjoy working at Pulsant for similar reasons I enjoyed working in the military. The people, overcoming challenges and learning new skills. Pulsant are great at getting to know you on a personal basis and nurturing your career journey.
What learning and development opportunities have you had / are available at Pulsant?
Soon after starting at Pulsant I mentioned to my manager my interest in networking and cloud infrastructure, this was passed on to both teams who contacted me not long after. Since then, I have been able to shadow the cloud team and have been working on problems for the network team. The data centre acts as a great place to learn about different companies in the tech sector as you work with a multitude of clients.
Why can the data centre industry be a good place to develop your career?
The data centre environment is a great place to learn both IT skills and electrical and mechanical skills. On top of this you get to interact with a huge variety of businesses granting you access to a large network of skills and individuals which can enable your career.
