Same Career, Sharper Skills: Mark's BCS Story

When Mark McGeary wanted to expand his professional IT skills and support his career development, he decided to study an online BCS Agile qualification with ICS Learn.

Already working as Head of Commercial for one of the UK’s big six energy companies, Mark wanted to gain a stronger understanding of Agile so he could apply these practices more confidently in his role.

A Career Turning Point

Mark’s decision to return to studying came at a time of significant change within the utility sector.

“In response to increasing changes in the utility marketplace and an ongoing demand for collaborative, innovative approaches to respond to those changes, I recently decided to invest in an online training course to increase my knowledge of Agile and Agile methodologies by undertaking a plan of study for a formal qualification”, he explains.

For Mark, gaining a formal Agile qualification was a way to strengthen his existing professional experience while developing practical knowledge he could apply immediately at his company.

Why Mark Chose ICS Learn

After researching different online learning providers, Mark decided that ICS Learn was the right choice for his studies. “I chose ICS Learn as there were several factors that really resonated with me”, he points out.

One of the main reasons was ICS Learn’s reputation as an established online learning provider. “If I’m going to carry out a course of further education, it's important to me to do it with a reputable company”.

Student reviews also played an important role in his decision. “Secondly, they come highly recommended on Trustpilot,” he says. “I took the time to read a number of the reviews, which I found to be overwhelmingly positive.”

What stood out most to Mark was the level of support students described receiving throughout their studies. “The big take-home message for me was that they are engaged and invested in their students; they really want you to succeed”.

Mark’s own experience with ICS Learn has reflected the positive reviews he had read before enrolling. “I’m pleased to say that my own experience with ICS Learn mirrored what I read in reviews. I found the course material to be both clear, concise and easy to understand”, he says.

“I was particularly impressed with the support provided by their Student Services around examination time. Having them ensure that I was well prepared and comfortable was instrumental in me passing the final exam itself”.

Next Steps with BCS 

As someone relatively new to Agile practices, Mark’s next goal is to apply what he's learned from his BCS Agile course in his current role. His positive experience has also encouraged him to continue developing.

“My future plans to develop my understanding of Agile further will absolutely involve ICS Learn. My experience with them has been extremely rewarding, and I expect my future development to include additional study with ICS Learn”.

For Mark, studying online with ICS Learn has been a rewarding experience that has helped him build knowledge, confidence and practical skills for the future. “I’d happily recommend them to anyone considering engaging in an online learning course”, he concludes.

Inspired by Mark's journey? Enrol on an online BCS qualification and progress with purpose.