What degree/PhD did you study?
Computer Science with Software Development
What inspired you to choose and study your degree subject?
I've always been drawn to problem-solving, especially when it comes to maths and technology. Growing up, I found myself constantly curious about how things worked—particularly computers. That natural interest led me to pursue a degree in Computer Science.
What key skills did you learn at university?
University was a real turning point for me. It taught me not only technical skills but also how to work effectively as part of a team. I faced plenty of challenges along the way, which pushed me to become more adaptable and creative.
What is your current job and what do you enjoy about it?
I'm currently part of the Technology Graduate Programme at Barclays. The scheme includes three rotations, each lasting eight months, allowing us to explore different areas of the business and work with a range of technologies. Currently, I'm working on maintaining the pipelines that connect various user interfaces—like the mobile app, ATMs, and phone payments—to our backend systems. It's rewarding to know that the work I do helps keep critical services running smoothly for millions of customers.
What has been your most exciting project or career role?
Over the past nine months, I’ve worked on several exciting projects, but one that really stood out was when my manager asked me to create a process to connect our Continuous Delivery (CD) technology to our virtual machines—something that had never been done before. It was a completely new challenge, and after conducting extensive research, testing, and troubleshooting, I successfully made it work. Seeing it all come together was really rewarding, especially when it came time to present it to the developer team. I was able to answer all their questions, and they found the new process extremely beneficial for their work.
What are your top tips for working in your industry/sector?
Technical skills are important, but they’re not everything; a positive attitude makes a huge difference. Clear communication and honesty go a long way. When I first joined, I found the systems really complex and didn’t feel fully confident. But every developer I worked with was happy to explain things and help me understand. Thanks to that support, I built my confidence and started taking on bigger projects.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and always make sure you're communicating clearly with your team. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve been given is to focus your learning on what’s relevant to your current role. It’s easy to get distracted by every new technology, but if it doesn’t apply to your work, that knowledge can fade quickly. Prioritising practical, applicable skills makes a bigger difference.
Any advice you’d like to share?
Be curious, approachable, and reliable. Clear communication is essential, make sure you fully understand the requirements before diving into code. Time management becomes crucial when you're juggling multiple active projects and more are being added. Create a priority list and tackle tasks methodically.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions, and never be afraid to admit when you don’t know something!
Why are you passionate about your subject / career / STEM?
I’ve always been intrigued by problem-solving and challenges (it’s what naturally drew me to programming). In my view, technology is at the heart of the future, and software is already shaping the way we live and work. What excites me most is knowing that the work I do can have a real, positive impact on people’s lives. Seeing how my contributions help improve systems and support customers is incredibly gratifying.
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