Ryan says that working at Google is an incredibly unique and enjoyable experience. “Every day is different with the speed of collaboration as well as new products being worked on,” he says.

“Google promotes creativity as well as flexibility. For instance, I have 20 per cent of my working time to dedicate to projects that interest me in my field, which is incredible. And yes, there is free food, fitness facilities, cafes and other perks on offer, so we are very spoilt.”

Ryan says that a lot of people don't understand what his role is at Google and how he makes an impact.

“As the Global Occupational Health Manager, my role is a split between prevention and reaction, specifically relating to employee health and wellbeing,” he says.

“My focus is to partner with our local teams to ensure we have the frameworks established in each of the countries we operate in to comply with local occupational health law,” he says.

“This could range from building systems that aid return to work, to rehabilitation and crisis management during a pandemic. It might also affect areas within occupational toxicology or industrial hygiene, such as noise, ergonomics, radiation, air quality or supporting our tech teams.”

A typical workday in Ireland

Ireland’s cold, wet weather is a stark contrast to tropical North Queensland, where Ryan grew up and studied, but the laid-back lifestyle and friendly locals are familiar, he says.

Ryan says a typical day starts about 8 am when he arrives at the staff café at Google’s Dublin headquarters for breakfast.

"At 8.30 am, I am typically at my desk and ready to respond to emails and calls. I am usually in meetings around 60 per cent of my day or responding to emails, managing project teams or in management meetings.”

Ryan says he takes a break in the middle of the day to work out at the gym for an hour, finishing up in the office at 5.30 pm, then working on the train trip home for another hour. His role also sees him travel to San Francisco and New York regularly.

Despite his achievements, Ryan says his driving force is hard work, not ambition, and that has stood him in good stead.

“I didn't plan or aim to work for Google in my wildest dreams,” he says. “I am a big believer in hard work firstly, and secondly just being open to opportunity. I approach everything I do with an open mindset and typically say 'yes' probably more than I should.

“I don't believe I was ever the best or brightest in my year when I was studying at JCU, but I was determined to make the most out of life and my career, and that followed me to this day.”

Ryan says that when people move away from a fixed mindset and a plan for life, they might be surprised at where it takes them.

“You've got to position yourself in the centre of the action to reap the rewards. Sometimes it’s not so much about talent, its more about right time and right place,” he says. “The 'right place’ part you can control, timing is a little trickier.”

Being proactive about workplace health and safety

Ryan says his focus since graduating from JCU has always been workplace health, which can look different in different workplaces.

“There is a proactive and reactive part to that. I would say at the root of what I do, my work hasn't changed, but what has changed are the cultures, risk profiles, resources to dedicate to occupational health as well as perceived and actual health priorities,” he says.

“It's really my job as a global manager to find the right fit for the company, depending on all these various factors. I build a health strategy that fits the workplace and culture, it's a little bit of ‘cultural gut instinct meets data science’, with some quantifiable risk assessment thrown in.”

As for his time at JCU, Ryan says he had a fantastic experience studying and living on campus in Townsville. “I often look back on those years as some of the best of my young adult life,” he says.

“If you have a passion and interest in helping people and are looking for a career that could take you into many types of workplaces, then absolutely consider studying OT.”

Ryan says he picked up many useful skills while studying. “You are taught patient-centred practice, empathy, and listening skills. The number of times I have used some of these skills in a leadership team meeting during difficult conversations, or when I am working with one of our workers compensation insurers, has been incredible.”

For Ryan, the biggest plus for OT is that the degree opens doors. “Even if you have no interest in working in a traditional hospital setting, employers are very interested in your patient-centred skills and abilities,” he says.

Next up for Ryan is a relocation to Singapore later this year where he is looking forward to the warm climate and spicy food