Danny Wells - Episode 151

This week on The Route to Networking we welcomed Danny Wells, Senior Network Engineer at VECTEC. Through dedication and a passion for learning, his journey from law to networking showcases the unexpected paths that can lead to fulfilling careers. 

From Law to Networks 

When Danny left high school, he had his sights set on becoming a lawyer. After pursuing a law degree, he realised quickly that it wasn’t the right route for him. Assessing his skill set he stumbled onto network engineering, he shares how he didn’t even want to go to university originally and his friends and family encouraged him to go, a decision he is now incredibly grateful for.  

Overcoming challenges

Danny reflects on the challenges he faced throughout his career including imposter syndrome. After relocating from England to Australia, he secured a Helpdesk Technician position and within a year had been promoted to Network Engineer. Working on large scale client projects with a small team of three, Danny was thrust into a demanding role that required him to rapidly develop his professional skills, study extensively, and ultimately overcome his doubts. 

Danny admits that the most challenging aspect of leaving his previous role, after achieving team leadership and six years of industry experience, was the prospect of adapting to a new workplace culture. Having worked in a rigid 9-5 environment at a major UK telecom provider, often commuting in the dark and facing limited autonomy, Danny found the cultural shift to Australia quite profound. 

Staying ahead

For newcomers to the industry Danny has some sound advice; be prepared to study. He recalls that especially in his first year, he spent a lot of time studying, reading books and learning as much as he could. Now, he continues to invest in his continuous learning, attending conferences and exploring new resources to enhance his skills and knowledge, recognising the importance of staying up to date in an industry that is constantly evolving. 

Looking ahead

As Danny’s career progresses, he continues to set ambitious goals. One of his aspirations is to share his expertise with a wider audience by speaking at industry conferences. By doing so, he hopes to inspire and guide others in their networking journeys.

Check out more

Find Danny here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-wells/

Danny's newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-terminal-7215646103281500160/

Find VECTEC here: https://vectec.com.au/

Listen to the full episode:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1K0RsnkvBQU95zKtLn42Dr?si=e251b030cf2543a0

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-route-to-networking/id1576702334?i=1000666024317