I wanted to live somewhere that encourages innovation. I chose Berlin.
I had been working with a mobile phone company in Limerick for a few months after graduating when I began to look abroad. With a degree in business and a postgraduate qualification in computers, I was particularly interested in IT jobs with young businesses in Europe.
I thought I would go to Holland, but applied for a few positions in other countries too, including one in Berlin. It wasn’t until my interview, over Skype, that I found out the company was an upmarket online sex shop. I was surprised but intrigued, and when they offered me the job it seemed like an exciting opportunity.
I do coding for the website, which only went live at the beginning of this year. My colleagues are all under 30, and women considerably outnumber men.
The products and shopping environment are a lot more tasteful than our competitors’, and the staff are generally representative of our customers. It is a young and fun place to work.
My friends thought it was hilarious; it certainly isn’t your average IT job. I thought my older relatives might react differently but they all get a giggle out of it.
The start-up scene is thriving in Berlin. Most people I meet are involved in small enterprise, or are artists or musicians. It would be rare to meet someone working for a multinational.
Being surrounded by so many enthusiastic businesspeople has been encouraging, and I would love to run my own company some day. A friend and I are researching the possibility of developing an online sales platform for businesses to market themselves online.
Through the connections I’ve made, I’ve helped two people I knew from Ireland to secure interviews. There is a lot of work in Berlin for web developers.
Most of my new friends are German. They all speak good English, which has highlighted to me how poor Irish people are at languages. I had no German when I arrived but I am trying my best to learn.
I’m on a two-year contract, but, because it is a start-up, anything could happen. The company is doing well and might expand to other countries. I love Berlin, but would like to try living somewhere such as China or Brazil. It could also be a good business opportunity to make contacts most other Irish or European people wouldn’t have.
The lack of prospects for young people in Ireland has killed any idea I had of living there – in the short term at least. I will always be glad I was given a push to move away. It has made my life more colourful.
In conversation with Ciara Kenny
