Analyst Review

Communicating with business stakeholders, analysing our IT systems and coming up with technical solutions to better provide for our colleagues using them. This can involve speaking with business areas like financial crime and risk, or to technical developers and programmers building the systems to support these areas.

Being involved in real life projects from day one and being able to share my opinion to shape our products has boosted my confidence. Working beside professionals really brings the studying to life.

It's very demanding and requires you putting your social life to one side sometimes - balancing a degree and a full time job 9-5 is really stressful. However, the company culture is very supportive and diverse and we are regularly encouraged to take part in citizenship activities.

There is a very strong induction period to start with, but training is more on-the-job experience than a structured training programme, besides the university course one day a week. There is a lot of support in place though, through technical mentors and apprenticeship scheme mentors. Teams are also very supportive.

Everyone in my area is very supportive. People are more than happy to give advice or explain concepts to new joiners. Any issues or questions I have people are more than happy to help with. There is a good culture of support in the office and I don't feel awkward reaching out for support.

There isn't a huge amount of time allowed for studying besides the one day a week we attend university, however managers are very supportive with workload around these times. Mentors are given if required in certain areas, although further support has to be pushed for and can be slow to be actioned at times.

My qualification is detatched from my role, so only some modules are relevant.

There are hundreds of opportunities for citizenship and diversity and inclusion activities. In fact, we are designated 3 days a year to spend volunteering or fundraising for charity in Scotland. These are called Make a Difference days. Social events are also held regularly to network with other colleagues including technical seminars, lunches, balls, award ceremonies etc.

Yes

Very generous salary and benefits, opportunity to work alongside professionals while you learn which is something most graduates don't have when they leave university. The company is very supportive and offers great internal mobility and opportunity to progress through the hierarchy. A great company culture and diversity and inclusion.

Be prepared to be thrown in at the deep end (with support, of course). Take up every opportunity you can to network and develop - it's not what you know in most cases, but who you know (building a strong network of people with different skills is key to success in projects).