Welcome to ‘Why you should hire me’, a series by Information Age highlighting unemployed tech professionals looking for work.
Today we bring you the expertise of Ashley Mallia, Channaka Nanayakkara, and Diego Hernandez.
If you feel these tech professionals may be an asset to your business, please contact them directly via LinkedIn (link in their profiles below).
Please note that these professionals have not been vetted by Information Age or the Australian Computer Society and that it is the responsibility of any potential employer to ensure candidates are suitable for a proposed role.
Ashley Mallia
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Areas of expertise: Programming, cloud, data engineering and data science
Years of experience: 15 plus years in IT, including 7 years in DevOps and 4 years in data engineering and data science
Type of role I’m looking for: My greatest passions are teaching, mathematics, forecasting, optimisation and working in a team to solve real-world problems.
Work schedule: Full-time in-office preferred. Open to hybrid and contract work.
What I like about working in tech: Being in technology allows us to work within and learn about other industries, while simultaneously solving complex problems that deliver business value. In addition, you get to work with brilliant people, continuously learn and grow, and discover your passion through waves of technological change and innovation.
Best career advice I’ve ever received: The best advice I like to adhere to is, the fastest way to boost your value and open doors is through public speaking. Learn to speak, write and present well.
Why you should hire me: I bring a rare mix of technical skills, creative problem-solving, and a deep passion for people. I’m not just here to get the job done – I’m here to elevate the work, uplift the team, and have fun doing it. I love mentoring others and helping them grow because I believe success is something we build together. If you’re looking for someone who delivers results, builds strong teams, and brings positive energy to every project, that’s me.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-mallia/
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Channaka Nanayakkara
Location: St Albans, Victoria
Areas of expertise: My core skills lay in incident management within IT service management. I'm actively developing skills and seeking entry-level opportunities in cybersecurity and AI, with an interest in data analytics.
Years of experience: 9 years across multiple roles in IT support and IT service management.
Type of role I’m looking for: My primary focus is to contribute to my established incident management skills. Whilst transitioning into cybersecurity would be a natural progression, I am keen to explore an entry-level position within AI or data.
Work schedule: Full-time opportunity and/or in-office role. I thrive in a hybrid work environment that offers in-office engagement and the flexibility of remote work.
What I like about working in tech: I developed an early familiarity with technology. My father ran a computer repair shop in our hometown of Kandy, Sri Lanka. What I truly appreciate about working in tech is its dynamic and ever-evolving nature. There's always something new to learn, a fresh challenge to tackle and the satisfaction of leveraging technology to solve real-world problems.
Best career advice I’ve ever received: "There is opportunity even in chaos." This has taught me to remain adaptable, to view challenges as pathways for growth and learning and to seek opportunity within complex situations.
Why you should hire me: I bring practical IT experience, with a strong foundation in incident management and a clear drive to develop my skills in cybersecurity, AI and data analytics. I have experience in collaborating with stakeholders of varying technical backgrounds across the world
I have exceptional English speaking and writing skills, enabling me to communicate effectively and professionally. I am a quick learner, possess excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, and adapt readily to changing environments and scenarios.
I’m resilient with a lot of grit – this helps through challenges and remaining focused on achieving results. My commitment to continuous improvement and my eagerness to contribute make me a valuable asset.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnanayakkara/
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Diego Hernandez
Location: Perth, WA
Areas of expertise: Agile project management, scrum master, digital transformation, operations management, network administrator and technical support.
Years of experience: 15+ years.
Type of role I’m looking for: Agile project manager or scrum master roles, ideally leading tech teams or transformation projects. Also willing to start in other technical roles such as technical support.
Work schedule: Full-time, flexible with remote, hybrid, or in-office.
What I like about working in tech: What I enjoy most about working in tech is its power to transform, not just systems and processes, but entire organisations.
Technology offers an ever-evolving environment where there's always something new to learn; this keeps me constantly motivated. I find great satisfaction in connecting business challenges with smart, scalable tech solutions.
Guiding teams through agile practices and watching them grow in confidence and performance is especially rewarding. For me, working in tech isn’t just about tools or platforms, it’s about making meaningful, lasting change through innovation and collaboration.
Best career advice I’ve ever received: "Stay curious and embrace change. It’s the key to long-term success." This is something I believe is very important.
Why you should hire me: I am passionate about technology, which has driven me to continuously train and expand my knowledge across different IT areas.
My broad understanding allows me to better assess the scope of digital transformation initiatives and align them with client needs and available resources. My combination of strong technical and project management skills, plus being hands-on, along with having an adaptable approach ensures successful outcomes and sustainable improvements.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-herdez-c/
If you are interested in being featured in ‘Why you should hire me’, email the Information Age editorial team on [email protected].
