Colm Lysaght

Colm Lysaght

Colm Lysaght is an experienced strategist and a creative, charismatic leader. After graduating from UCD with a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, he moved to California and built a successful career in marketing and strategy at Fortune 500 companies.

1. What was your UCD experience like?

UCD Engineering was a great experience, though very different in my day since we cycled around between Belfield, Earlsfort Terrace and Merrion Street on a regular basis. First year was raucous, a horde of 250+ of which 90% were men. That's a lot of energy! We had all our classes together so we formed some strong friendships, and we gave our lecturers hell by being noisy, chatty and disruptive. Theatre L in Belfield, Room 32 in Earlsfort Terrace and Room 153 in Merrion Street were our arenas mostly, that first year, for those who can remember! Subsequent years we split into our chosen specialities and our friendships deepened within a smaller cohort. Those friendships remain to this day and my closest friends are my classmates from UCD.

2. Have you been back to campus since your graduation?

Yes, and I am always amazed at the constant change and progress. Belfield is a buzzing place! There has been a lot of building over the years and the university has consolidated on one main campus, which I think is the best way to have a college experience. 

3. What skills and knowledge did you gain as an engineering student that have benefitted you most in your career?

Basic engineering design thinking. This is something that Elon Musk is widely praised for, and it is fundamental to engineering: challenge assumptions and experiment. Start with a hypothesis and test it many times. Once you have proven your hypothesis, find ways to optimise by trading off competing constraints. Prof. Vincent McCabe memorably told us that "good engineering design should be simple, functional and aesthetically pleasing". He said a mouthful there. Engineers should be practical about balancing competing needs in what they design.

Teamwork. We did experiments and projects together that showed us the value of collective thought, considering each other's ideas, benefiting from a range of skills and strengths of individuals. Being a good team player is essential to career success at any level. For a new grad, the sooner you start trying to help those around you as much as show what you can do yourself, the sooner you will rise up the ranks.

Innovation. There was a solid focus on curiosity and innovation in our courses, and our minds were opened up to the new possibilities that microelectronics could bring. We were encouraged to explore further and the professors were generous in giving their time, enthusiasm and support. Prof. Annraoi de Paor was a memorable mentor who supervised my final year project, which was to make biofeedback devices for patients rehabilitating from stroke. 

4. Did you always plan to build your career in the US?

Yes and no. I had a green card before I graduated and my brother Brian (another UCD Electronic Engineering grad) was already working in Silicon Valley. So it was an easy decision to travel there. I arrived in late October 1990 and started applying for jobs. I got an offer in early December from Cypress Semiconductor with a start date on January 11, so I decided I would spend my Christmas holliers back in Dublin (much to my brother's surprise!). When I started out I was thinking short term, maybe 5 years in the US and then come back home. I subsequently met my wife, got married, went to graduate school at Stanford and gradually realised that my career and life were taking root in Silicon Valley. By the time 5 years were up, I had decided to stay. It's a common story for others, too. One thing leads to another.

5. What do you enjoy most about the California lifestyle?

The diversity in California - different landscapes, different people, different cultures, different lifestyles all around you. It broadens your perspective in so many ways and is enriching. I like to do trail running, go mountain biking, swim in the ocean... and it's all possible within 30 minutes of where I live. The Sierra Nevada mountains provide skiing and snowboarding in the winter if you like that, and there are lakes for water-skiing or wakeboarding. As for cuisine, there are thousands of restaurants of all kinds, from every country you can imagine. It's hard to find a bad restaurant in San Francisco, and it has 28 with Michelin stars if that is your thing. The city also has a vibrant culture/counterculture that fits well with the disruptive, innovative mindset of Silicon Valley. California is a welcoming place that accepts weirdos from everywhere and tells them "you can make a home here".

6. What inspires you to work towards your goals and ambitions?

Building things together in a team is what inspires me. I like to bring out the best in others and learn from them while achieving a bigger goal. Throughout my career, I have been exploring new ideas, building new products, breaking barriers of some kind to make ‘the next big thing’, which inevitably doesn't last long at the cutting edge of technology. The inspiration comes from the people around me, their curiosity and burning desire to try new things. I am somewhat self-driven, but I definitely feed off the energy of those around me!

7. What have been the most challenging aspects of your career?

Managing work/life balance and stress. I have learned how to prioritise the most important things, maintain perspective and be my best self for others... but it hasn't been easy. Meditation, exercise and loving family help to keep me grounded. I have had bouts of depression at times and learned not to measure myself from achievements. I spent my first decade getting degrees (MSEE, MBA) and when I didn't have another one to get, it left me wondering how I knew I was ‘making progress’ and I got depressed. Therapy helped a lot and I am a big believer in getting help when your mental health takes a hit. At various times, workload has created stress and anxiety - I now use mindfulness and meditation to accept it and deal with it with equanimity. For me, this has been the most challenging aspect of my career but one that I feel comfortable with now.

8. What is your proudest moment, personally or professionally?

My family is what I'm proudest of - I have an amazing wife and two wonderful children. Seeing my children develop into people whom I admire makes me proud. I remember when my son was born, feeling the instantaneous, overwhelming, chemical love for this little creature... it was unlike any love for another person because it came all at once, not over time. I felt the same way when my daughter was born. There is no professional or personal achievement that comes close, and I give my wife full credit for allowing me to experience it.

9. Why is mentorship important to you?

I have had great mentors along the way and I hope to give back however I can. It also energises me to see younger people stepping up to lead and gives me hope for the future. I'd like to think that I have learned some lessons along the way that are useful for others. It's always best to learn from others' mistakes without having to make them yourself.

10. What advice would you give to current students and new graduates planning their first career steps?

Start wherever you can (your first job is not going to define you!) and build some basic experience. My first job at Cypress was somewhat random, and I learned a lot there -- as much about what I didn't want to do or be as about what I did want to do or be. You learn a lot in a job that you can't learn in university and it's all stepping stones for the future. So don't get too precious about getting the 'perfect' first job and just get on with it. You'll figure it out as you go and there are no failures, only learnings.

Invest in yourself. Keep learning, even after you graduate. I went back to school twice and each time it greatly enriched me and made me better at what I was doing professionally. These days, I'm not going back to school but I am constantly learning, doing research or taking online classes. You don't have to go back to school (unless you want to) but you do have to keep a ‘growth mindset’ and continue to learn. 

Help those around you and develop a reputation for being competent, reliable and energetic. Do your best and stay positive. You will attract success because people will want to give you more opportunity. The sooner you internalise this, the sooner you will be seen as a leader and given more responsibility and trust. Honestly, it took me far too long to learn this lesson!

11. How would your closest friends describe you in three words?

Curious, social and hard-working (I asked my daughter!)