Mark Nixon walked into the Northern Ireland Electricity Service as a young clerical trainee in 1989 with a mix of A-levels in economics, English and geography, and no clear idea of what he wanted to do with his career. Decades later, he is Head of Digital Delivery at NIE Networks, leading a team of around sixty people. His journey from clerical trainee to senior technology leader wasn't mapped out neatly from the start. It's a story about staying curious, working hard, and being open to where opportunity leads.
Mark isn't shy about admitting he was uncertain at sixteen. "Everyone around you knows that they want to be a mechanic or a doctor or a lawyer," he reflects. "Doesn't mean you have to know what it is that you want to do." Rather than worrying about not having a plan, he looked for organisations that wouldn't box him in, places where he could explore and find his passion. That mindset became the foundation of everything that followed.
What's striking about Mark's story is how little he emphasises academic credentials, and how much he returns to something far more fundamental. "One of the things you bring is yourself and your attitude," he says. "If your attitude is good and you want to work hard, then the rest will come." An internal aptitude test after two years in a vehicle fleet role led him to NIE's IT department. A two-month programming course at university was followed by real projects, real responsibility, and the satisfaction of seeing raw data transform into tools that helped colleagues make better business decisions. He'd found something that clicked.
For young people and parents wondering about career options, Mark has a clear message. Technology, IT and cybersecurity are, in his words, "absolutely huge at this point in time, a really good, solid career choice." But it's not just about job security. Working in technology at NIE Networks means being part of something with genuine impact. The systems Mark and his team build support the company's shift towards net zero and decarbonisation, work that matters for Northern Ireland's future.
Perhaps most telling is that Mark left NIE Networks for eleven years mid-career, moving into the private sector to broaden his skills and perspective before eventually returning. Stepping away didn't limit his future. It expanded it. When he came back, he brought new ideas to a company that had itself transformed.
Today, what drives Mark most isn't the technical delivery, though he still loves that, but watching his team grow and take on new challenges. As his career has matured, his satisfaction has shifted from personal achievement to developing others. That, he says, is what good work looks like to him now.
For young people, parents and teachers thinking about careers in technology or the energy sector, Mark's story makes one thing clear. You don't need to have it all figured out at sixteen. You just need the right attitude, a willingness to learn, and the courage to follow where your curiosity leads.
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/qSfPsyJtO84
