Three years ago I moved from Australia to Europe.
A lot has happened in those three years, both personally and professionally. Some great experiences, plenty of changes, and a few challenges along the way. But one constant has been the Wi-Fi community – a network of people spread across the world who share knowledge, encourage each other, and are remarkably generous with their time.
I’ve benefited enormously from that generosity throughout my career. And over the past few months, several conversations and experiences got me thinking about how difficult it can be for someone new to discover that same community.
That thinking eventually became ProbeRequest.org
But the story behind it really starts with the people and experiences that inspired me.
Change is inevitable, growth is optional
Back in 2024, I gave the closing presentation at Wi-Co Fest Manchester, titled Change is inevitable, growth is optional.
It wasn’t a technical deep dive into 802.11, troubleshooting or wireless design. Instead, I spoke about careers, personal development, embracing change and the importance of the people around us. I’ve always enjoyed the technical side of our industry, but I’ve come to appreciate that some of the most valuable things we learn have very little to do with technology itself.
Fast forward two years to Wi-Co Fest Manchester in September 2026 – Harry Norman gave a presentation about community, the people who had inspired him, and the influence they’d had on his professional journey.
To my surprise, he included my 2024 presentation as one of the talks that had inspired him, alongside Rob Boardman‘s. Harry spoke about how that experience contributed to him giving his first wireless conference presentation and taking steps forward in his career.
He also included a quote I’d shared about the Wi-Fi community:
“The Wi-Fi community is a rare place where deep technical curiosity, real friendship, and generosity with knowledge all coexist – it’s been the foundation of my career and some of my closest friendships.”
Seeing that on the screen was a pretty special moment.
When I gave that talk in 2024, I had no idea what influence it might have on anyone in the audience. I was simply sharing some experiences and perspectives from my own career. Two years later, Harry was on stage sharing his own story.
A real full-circle moment, and a reminder that sometimes we have a positive influence on people without even realising it.
Mentoring isn’t always what you think
Around the same time, François Vergès shared a LinkedIn post that really resonated with me.
He reflected on how mentoring doesn’t always involve a formal relationship between a mentor and mentee. Sometimes it’s someone deliberately coaching you, reviewing your work or helping you develop a skill. Other times, it’s someone you learn from simply by watching how they approach a problem, deliver a presentation or treat the people around them. And sometimes it’s someone who gives you an opportunity, encourages you to try something new, or opens a door that might otherwise have remained closed.
I’ve experienced all three throughout my career.
There are people who’ve directly helped me develop my technical skills, people I’ve learned from simply by observing them, and others who’ve encouraged me to take opportunities I might not otherwise have considered.
And I’d like to think I’ve been able to do the same for others.
At Wi-Co Fest this year, it was also fantastic to see my friend Andrew ‘Fergs’ Ferguson deliver his first wireless conference presentation, sharing his experience with Mist guest wireless. I’ve had the opportunity to help Fergs along his career journey, so seeing him up on stage sharing his own knowledge was another proud moment.
More recently, Fergs spoke about the importance of asking for help in his Ferg’s Friday Thoughts series. He described how valuable it can be to simply talk through a challenge with someone else, even when that person doesn’t necessarily have the answer.
He also gave ProbeRequest.org a lovely mention, and I really appreciate all the time he’s spent helping me test the platform and sharing his feedback along the way.
It reinforces something I’ve increasingly come to believe: mentoring isn’t a one-way transfer of knowledge from an expert to a beginner.
We all have something to learn from each other, regardless of our experience or certifications.
Finding the right person to ask
One of the things I love about events like WLPC and Wi-Co is the opportunity to meet people, share experiences and have conversations that might never happen otherwise. Some of the most valuable discussions I’ve had at these events haven’t been during presentations. They’ve happened over coffee, dinner, a beer, or simply chatting with someone in the hallway.
But what if you don’t know anyone in the community?
What if you’re just starting your networking career, working somewhere without experienced wireless engineers around you, or looking for guidance on where to take your career next?
Who do you ask?
Andrew McHale shared a LinkedIn post recently that captured this challenge perfectly.
He reflected on wanting an experienced Wi-Fi mentor around 15 years ago, but having no idea how to find one or approach them.
Would they be interested? Would he have to pay? What could he possibly offer in return?
Those are perfectly reasonable questions, particularly when you’re relatively new to an industry.
Today, Andrew is an experienced wireless professional himself, and was one of the first people to volunteer as a Responder on ProbeRequest.org.
His reflection highlighted something important – our Wi-Fi community is full of people who are willing to help, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy for someone outside those circles to find them.
There are people looking for guidance, and people who would happily share their knowledge and experiences. Sometimes all that’s missing is a way to connect them.
Introducing ProbeRequest.org
Over the past few months, I’ve been working on a small personal project to help address that challenge.
The idea was simple: create a free, community-driven platform where people in the Wi-Fi and networking industry can find experienced professionals willing to share their knowledge, experiences and perspectives.
I called it ProbeRequest.org.
The name is a little Wi-Fi humour, of course. 😁
The concept is straightforward.
People looking for mentoring or guidance can register as Requestors, choose a topic they’d like help with, and discover Responders who have volunteered to share their experience.
They can then send an Association Request, and if accepted, arrange a conversation directly.
The topics aren’t limited to technical subjects. They include career development, certifications, interview preparation, presenting and public speaking, and other areas of professional development.
Importantly, this isn’t a technical support service or a consulting marketplace. It’s about mentoring, sharing experiences, and helping people make connections.
There’s no charge for Requestors or Responders. It’s simply people volunteering their time to help others…
Find the right person to ask.
From an idea to WLPC Prague
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to introduce ProbeRequest.org at WLPC Prague – thank you Keith Parsons!
It seemed like the perfect place to launch something inspired by the very community that has helped shape my career. I shared the story behind the idea, explained how the platform works, and invited people to get involved. The response has been incredibly encouraging!
Experienced professionals from across the industry have volunteered as Responders, people have started registering as Requestors, and the first genuine Association Requests are now being sent.
But perhaps the most rewarding part has been seeing people independently recommending it to others.
As mentioned, Andrew McHale shared a thoughtful LinkedIn post about why he wanted to get involved.
Rasika Nayanajith (the guru behind https://mrncciew.com), who was in the audience at Prague, recently mentioned ProbeRequest.org to someone in Australia who was struggling to find a Wi-Fi community and guidance on developing his career. That person subsequently reached out and we’ve already been chatting about ways to get more involved in the Wi-Fi community.
It’s a small example, but exactly the kind of connection I hoped the project might encourage.
It’s still early days, and there’s plenty to learn and improve. But seeing people engage with the idea and start helping each other has made the effort worthwhile! 🫶🏻
Paying it forward
Looking back over the past three years in Europe, and indeed much further back through my career, it’s remarkable how many opportunities, friendships and experiences have come from being part of the wireless community.
WLPC, Wi-Co, CWNP, blogs, podcasts, online discussions and countless informal conversations have all played a part. I’ve been fortunate to meet some genuinely wonderful people along the way.
ProbeRequest.org isn’t intended to replace any of those communities or the relationships that already exist within them.
If anything, I hope it helps more people discover them. Because not everyone knows where to start, which events to attend, who to approach, or even that there are people out there willing to help.
And sometimes, a single conversation can make a real difference.
Three years after moving halfway around the world, I’m reminded that some of the most valuable connections in my career have had very little to do with the technology itself. They’ve been about people willing to share their experiences, offer encouragement, open doors and sometimes simply listen.
And to everyone who’s shared their time, knowledge, encouragement or support with me over the years – thank you! 🙏
Find the right person to ask.
ProbeRequest.org – Free Wi-Fi & Networking Mentorship
Whether you’re looking for guidance or have experience you’d like to share, you’re welcome to join the community.
