Kicking off Kerry's Career

I have been at CDW since 2014 in the Peterborough office and I have been fortunate to have had a few different roles. I began as a Customer Service Team leader where I stayed for three years, I was then noticed for my skill set and asked to consider another role. I moved to Service Desk Team Leader where I had the opportunity to fly out to Chicago and help set up the service desk there which was an incredible opportunity. Naturally, I progressed to Service Desk Manager after 2.5 years. Within these roles, I have had to build out the team and form relationships across the business which in my opinion, has brought many of the Services teams closer together. I am now Service Operations Integration Manager where I have again built new teams, inherited existing teams and been pivotal to projects affecting rebates, vendor compliance and system migrations.
 
In 2019, I won the outstanding achievement in Services award at Kick Off. I felt that I won that award on behalf of my whole team and everyone around me because without them my role wouldn’t be as enjoyable, and challenges wouldn’t be as easy to tackle. That was a big highlight for me and I was so proud; so many people had given me recognition and praise, it made me realise how much of an impact I have had. Walking past the trophy cabinet seeing my award always brings a smile to my face.
 

Without realising, I think I have been a mentor to many. Since starting at CDW, the Service Desk has more than doubled in size which naturally meant more management needed to be recruited. Utilising the management training provided by CDW, I was able to step up and share my knowledge and experience with others to allow them to grow. I am very passionate about anything I do, even if it’s a new area where I haven’t had the experience or knowledge, I am naturally inquisitive and have a passion for learning which helps me when taking on these new challenges.

 

I am part of the WIN group as part of CDW’s BRG groups. It’s important to me to get young women into a career that was historically never on the cards. In CDW, there is opportunity, fairness and equality. It’s important to know, you don’t have to be an ‘IT person’ to work in a tech company as there are so many other roles available. I think it’s important to share and educate these opportunities with people, to show them there are many avenues you can take. 

 

MOLDING THE SPACE IN CDW

One of my main hobbies is volunteering. Historically, I have been a volunteer foster carer for Cat’s Protection and a volunteer Zookeeper at Hamerton zoo for nearly 8 years. I also marshal for marathons and park runs. More recently, I found a love for cycling, which has led me to marshalling for British cycling events, and now I am working towards becoming an accredited marshal for British Cycling.

 

 

THE BEST VERSION OF KERRY

I wouldn’t say that my hobbies are linked to my job role, but CDW has enabled me to pursue this passion. Through the Volunteering Day allowance as part of my involvement in the organisation, I have arranged 13 volunteer days so far, covering an array of different tasks like; fence fixing, painting, tree planting, gardening and litter picking. Working in a department that has entry level roles, it is important to me to support local communities and place CDW on the local roadmap, showing we are here to help and show what opportunities we have to offer.  

 

My biggest driver is giving opportunities and exposure to people who wouldn’t normally have the confidence or chance to explore their potential. In Peterborough there are so many diverse backgrounds and skill sets, and we all come together as one team. When our backs are against the wall, the teamwork really shines through in Services and it makes me proud to be part of it. 

 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO APPLY TO CDW UK?

"Keep your mind open, the current job role you are in can expand and opportunities are endless. Keep exploring and building relationships, volunteering, shadowing and work experience are great ways to do this!"