Conor McDonald’s career journey is a testament to the power of unlocking potential.

Before stepping into his current role as a Software Engineer at Leonardo, Conor worked in the Civil Service as an Executive Officer, specialising in asylum decision-making. It was a role of great responsibility, requiring empathy, attention to detail, and resilience. But over time, Conor began to feel that something was missing - he was looking for a career that better aligned with how he thinks, learns, and creates.

After leaving the Civil Service, Conor spent time self-employed in the hospitality sector. While the work was dynamic and people-focused, he continued to feel a pull toward technology – a long-standing personal passion. As someone with ADHD, Conor had often wondered whether a career in engineering was a realistic option. Traditional learning environments hadn’t always worked for him, and he sometimes felt like he had to mask or compensate for how his brain naturally operated.