Graduate Consultant Review

The Business Analyst (BA) role is best described as the driver of change. I am currently on my first project at the moment but on a daily basis, I can be expected to complete a balance of BA and Project Manager (PM) type work. The BA work includes requirements engineering and management, data modelling, investigation techniques, acceptance testing and gap analysis. The PM work includes business impact assessments, producing MI and ad hoc work.

Coming from a non-finance background, this programme has allowed me to develop my professional skill-set (both hard and soft skills). In terms of professional accreditations, we are expected to achieve the BCS Certificate In Business Analysis. This includes a number of individual modules. Additionally, Santander actively encourages its employees to develop professionally.

I have just reached my 6-month milestone at Santander as a Graduate Consultant and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in this programme. It has exposed me to a variety of different business areas and stakeholders throughout the company. Overall, my experience has been very positive so far, and I expect this to continue throughout my time at Santander.

This programme is very well organised and structured. The success of this programme is largely in part to Danny Jones and Stuart Campbell, who have provided tremendous support from end to end. My feedback would be for the Change Hub to regularly update graduate consultants as to what projects will be available in the future.

Santander provides its employees with a significant amount of support from day one. Being part of the Change Hub means as well as project support, employees are bolstered by support from the Hub as well. A graduate can expect to receive support from their buddy, line manager, performance manager, QA learning representative and Hub contacts.

I receive consistent and regular support from my training provider at the moment. Since I first joined Santander, my training provider has been proactive in ensuring that I am on track towards achieving the end-point qualifications. If I am ever uncertain about any aspect, my provider is quick to react and address my needs.

Coming into this role, I had little to no prior experience working as an experience, however, I had experience working in the capacity of a consultant. This qualification provides me with the framework to perform at my best as a business analyst. I have frequently found myself referring to the training materials when producing deliverables such as drafting business requirements documents.

The Change Hub organises professional networking events throughout the year, which graduates are expected to participate in. These activities are a tremendous opportunity to get to know your peers, well as becoming better aligned with the organisation. We have been assigned a social committee representative, who will be organising events for the graduate consultants in the future. Additionally, the graduates in my cohort have arranged other activities such as football after work.

Yes

I would recommend Santander as a graduate consultant as it offers a tremendous amount of responsibility and variety from the get-go. As mentioned, Santander really does go above and beyond when providing support and professional development opportunities to its employees. Additionally, there is a collegiate feel within my cohort and the wider graduate 'Hub'.

I would suggest that you take the time to read through Santander and understand the values, behaviours and strategy (past, present, and future) of the company. Understand why you want to work as a graduate consultant and see what the programme can provide you, as well as what value you can provide to Santander.