You can tell a lot about a person by how they spend their free time. Some unwind watching Zero Day on Netflix or Severance on Apple TV. Others lose themselves in baking or books. Michael Mowbray? He built a 32TB media server running Ubuntu Linux with dual RAID 5 NAS arrays. For fun.
Not because he had to. Not because someone told him it would look good on a résumé. But because he’s genuinely fascinated by the evolving dance of ones and zeroes, of systems talking to systems, of technology that doesn’t just work, but works better because he made it so.
When I asked Michael what led him into IT support, he didn’t offer a corporate pitch. He simply said, “I’ve always had a passion for technology.”
And even through that short exchange, it was clear his interest runs deep. Not in hype or jargon, but in the quiet, methodical way he approaches problem-solving. In understanding the bones of a system, not just the skin.
Michael mentioned:
“The most rewarding part of IT support, is being able to diagnose and resolve issues, knowing that even if they reappear, they no longer carry the same weight of concern because a solution is in place. The ability to troubleshoot effectively and implement fixes that provide long-term stability gives a great sense of accomplishment.”
There’s a kind of poetry in that. In the idea that solving a tech issue is less about eliminating issues and more about taming it, making the unpredictable feel predictable again. And in IT support, that’s everything.
That ethos is exactly what led Michael to recently join IT First Responder, a company built on being there when it matters most. Whether it’s a Cyber Security incident in the middle of the night or a stubborn server hiccup before a major deadline, it’s the kind of environment where his quiet persistence and technical precision don’t just fit. They thrive.
But Michael’s not content with just being good at his job. He’s also enrolled in a Graduate Certificate programme that dives into cloud computing, Cyber Security, and programming principles. It’s the kind of learning that never really ends, which suits him just fine. Because for Michael, the joy is in the pursuit, not the pedestal.
And then there’s that media server. 32 whole terabytes of storage, built from scratch, powered by Ubuntu Linux and two RAID 5 NAS setups. “This is my media streaming,” he explained matter-of-factly, as if that sort of home infrastructure was just part of everyday life.
But of course, it’s not. It’s a testament to curiosity. To discipline. And to doing the work before the world even asks you to.
I first got to know Michael through our chats over Teams. But seeing him in person sealed it. In the office, he carries an air of quiet confidence. The kind that doesn’t try to prove anything but just is. He wasn’t too keen on having his photo taken, but after a few shutter clicks, there it was: the perfect smile. Candid. Natural. Effortless. Just like the way he works.
Michael’s journey isn’t about hype. It’s about craft. About curiosity. And about the kind of calm confidence that says: if it breaks, I’ll fix it.