Graham Livermore, a proud graduate of i.c.stars Cycle 53!
During his time in the program, Graham demonstrated exceptional dedication to his growth and development, consistently standing out as a passionate and driven learner. Today, he continues to shine in his role at Medline, where his commitment to excellence and innovation is making a real impact.
But Graham’s journey doesn’t stop at tech—he’s also a devoted father whose hard work and determination are rooted in creating a bright future for his children. A rising star in the tech world and a true change-maker in his community, Graham embodies the spirit of resilience, leadership, and purpose.
We’re incredibly proud of all he’s accomplished, and we can’t wait to see what he does next!
“Resilience was just something you needed to have to live, but after realizing it can be applied to a career, it really feels like a super power now.”
The best career transformations happen when someone recognizes the value of skills they already possess. For Graham, the journey into tech began with a clear motivation: creating better opportunities for his family. What followed was a strategic career pivot that leveraged his existing strengths in powerful new ways.
A Strategic Decision
His path to tech started with discovering i.c.stars, made possible through Medline’s sponsorship of his cycle. Like many career changers, timing was crucial, as he puts it, “a lot of things had to align, legally as well as emotionally” for him to reach where he is today.
The decision to pursue tech wasn’t just about learning new skills; it was about recognizing the potential to apply his life experience in a professional context that would value those capabilities.
Comprehensive Professional Development
i.c.stars provided more than technical training. The program helped him identify and develop his existing strengths while building new competencies that had clear market value. Importantly, they prepared him for the realities of the tech industry.
“They helped me alleviate a lot of fears by predicting a lot of things that could and have happened now and highlighted things about myself that I have leaned into developing,” he explains. This kind of comprehensive preparation – combining skills development with industry insight and self-awareness, set him up for long-term success.
The support didn’t end with graduation. i.c.stars has continued to be a resource throughout his career journey, consistently reinforcing his professional value and potential.
Thriving at Medline
Today at Medline, he’s found the kind of role that maximizes both his technical abilities and his natural strengths. The work offers meaningful responsibility and growth opportunities that keep him engaged and motivated.
“I really like the responsibility I now can practice in my day to day with the number of opportunities I get within the company,” he shares. What’s particularly valuable is how his professional skills complement his personal life – the leadership and problem-solving abilities he uses at work translate directly to his role as a father, and vice versa.
The financial stability is significant, but it’s the professional fulfillment and growth trajectory that truly energize him.
Redefining Professional Assets
One of his most insightful realizations has been reframing resilience as a professional strength. “After realizing it can be applied to a career, it really feels like a super power now,” he explains.
This shift in perspective – seeing life skills as career assets rather than just survival mechanisms – is transformative. It’s about recognizing that adaptability, persistence, and problem-solving under pressure are highly valued in the professional world.
Strategic Advice for Career Changers
His guidance for others entering the job market is both tactical and philosophical:
Process over outcome:
Focus on the application and interview process itself as skill-building, rather than just the end goal of landing a job. “Just applying at ALL is the win.”
Strategic patience:
“Everything happens for a reason.” Sometimes the right opportunity takes time to materialize, and that’s often better than rushing into the wrong fit.
Authentic positioning:
“Humility is not a weakness and honesty is your friend.” Present yourself authentically rather than trying to fit a mold – the right employer will value your unique perspective and background.
Holistic evaluation:
Consider cultural fit and growth potential alongside compensation. “It’s better to get the job that’s RIGHT for you, at a place that will value who you are and where you came from.”
Motivation and Mentorship
His primary motivation remains his family – they’re his “why” when work gets challenging. But his perspective has expanded to include mentoring others who are earlier in their journeys.
He’s now the person telling newcomers what he once heard: “Trust me, I was you x months/years ago, just keep going.” This kind of peer mentorship creates a positive cycle that benefits both the individual and the broader i.c.stars community.
“It feels really good and that’s how mass change happens, I guess,” he reflects on the impact of paying it forward.
The Opportunity
For professionals considering a similar transition, his message is encouraging: “If you feel something is missing in your life and may have the ‘gift of desperation,’ like I did, just want something better, or even just curious, do it!”
His assessment? “At the very least, you will get a valuable experience out of even just applying and at the most, your life as you know it will do a 180.”
Building on Strengths
This alumnus’s story demonstrates that successful career transitions aren’t about abandoning your past – they’re about building on your existing foundation. i.c.stars provided the technical skills and industry knowledge, but the resilience, adaptability, and determination were already there.
The program’s real value lies in helping participants recognize these professional assets and providing the platform to apply them in new contexts. It’s not about rescue or charity – it’s about professional development that honors and leverages the full range of human capabilities.
For anyone considering their own career evolution, the question isn’t whether you have what it takes – it’s whether you’re ready to see your existing strengths in a new light and apply them in new ways.
Ready to explore your own professional transformation? Learn more about i.c.stars and discover here how we’re developing technology leaders who bring diverse perspectives and proven capabilities to the industry.