Kristal Jamieson seeks the perfect picture at work and play

Exeed’s strategic marketing and communication manager talks about her passion for travel, photography and work

By Vera Alves, Auckland | Friday, 29 July 2011
Kristal Jamieson’s career in IT started on top of roofs in the Hawke’s Bay region - quite literally. Currently working as Exeed’s strategic marketing and communication manager, Jamieson’s first job in the industry was assisting with the installation of a microwave radio network throughout Hawke’s Bay.

“Strangely, it was a pharmacist called Bob Brady - I was running his Lotto outlet at the time - who gave me my first chance in IT. I assisted with the install of a microwave radio network throughout Hawke’s Bay, climbing onto a bunch of roofs and configuring TCP/IP addresses in all the local pharmacies,” recalls Jamieson.

From there, she moved onto Computerland HB, where she worked for a couple of years before moving to Auckland and joining the Exeed team eight years ago. When she joined the company it was only a one-year-old business. “We used to spend a lot of time playing cricket in the office. We have come a long way since then.”

Jamieson was employee number six and the first woman to join the company. “I am used to being a woman in a world of men. I was always a bit of a tomboy anyway. You grow a tough skin. You need to have that tough skin and you need to earn respect.”

She doesn’t know why there are not as many women in IT as men. “Maybe [it is] because of the traditional engineering background,” she wonders. Though she has found herself dealing with more and more women in recent years within IT and thinks that number will continue to grow. Even in the office, there is now a 50/50 gender ratio.

But regardless of gender, Jamieson says she has been “very lucky” with the people she has had the chance to work with. “I have been surrounded by people who have supported me and helped me to learn and grow as an individual.

"Although it would be remiss of me not to mention Andrew Bain and Justin Tye after working for them for eight years, as I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

Jamieson likes to balance out the fast-pace of the IT industry with the capture of single moments in photography – her greatest passion, along with travel. “It would be nice if those two combined could pay the bills,” she says.

“I have my walls covered with photos I have taken during my travels. I remember the smells that go with each photo,” she says. Jamieson places New York at the top of her favourite places to visit.

“I love it, it is one of those places in the world that is exactly like you see it on television: bright, colourful and eclectic.” But she also has fond memories of a trip through South America and the Galapagos Islands. “Each island is so different and unique. In one of them you have red sand, in the other green sand, in another one the sand feels like walking on mushrooms,” she describes.

Her wanderlust always has her planning the next trip and, at this stage, the next destination will probably be Thailand. The excuse is a friend’s wedding, but Jamieson will likely take some extra time to explore the country and ensure she returns with more snaps to add to her walls.

In the mean time, these are also exciting times for Exeed, as she puts it. “There is a lot going on,” she says, mentioning the fact that the company has recently added Samsung to its product portfolio.

“The next 12 to 18 months will be very exciting for Exeed. Steve Jobs recently took the cloud to the masses with his iCloud announcement and I think that is pretty strong. It will be all about making sure we are equipped for that change,” she adds.

For Jamieson, “it is all about improving”. The company rebranded in October 2009 and launched a new version of its website in November 2010. “We are growing and we will continue to grow. Having been on this journey so far, I know it is going to be great.”

Q+A

What are you currently reading?
I currently have a pile of D-Photo and Dish magazines to catch up on.

What would be the best advice you could give to someone in the same business as you?
Love what you do, as it’ll only help you do your job better.

When you were little, what did you think you would be when you grew up?
Representing the Silver Ferns, or an air hostess. My lack of height killed both those dreams.

Do you have any favourite sports?
Netball and cricket. I also have a slight addiction to a Les Mills class called BodyJam.

What's your favourite gadget?
My dSLR camera.

And your favourite website?
Lightroom killer tips.

What's your drink of choice?
Baileys.

What do you like about the IT industry?
The pace, the people ... that every day there is something new.

What do you think has been the single most important advance in technology?
The internet. Gone are the days of trawling through the library encyclopaedias for homework, writing letters to family/friends overseas by hand, and the old photo albums with the plastic covers to help stick down the photos.

What do you consider to be your major strengths or skills?
You’ll have to ask the people I work with.

How do you keep the work/leisure balance?
My friends will tell you that I don’t!