April Spartan of the Month: Greg Jackson

Congratulations! How did it feel to be named Spartan of the Month?

It felt great to have all the hard work of the last six months recognised by Sparta. To have the backing of both Sparta and my client company in recognizing my achievement, adds massively to the level of support I feel.

How did you find out about Sparta Global and decide it was the right path for you?

I studied Electronic & Electrical Engineering at Loughborough University. I found Sparta Global while searching for tech-related graduate roles online. After learning about the training programme and variety of roles available, as well as the client-base Sparta had established, I decided it was a pathway well worth pursuing. I joined Sparta in March 2021 and graduated towards the end of the summer, studying remotely from my room on the BA course!

How did you find your training, and how did your training prepare you for work?

Training was quite intensive and covered a broad spectrum of soft skills as well as more direct technical skills. Despite learning remotely, the course remained interesting and engaging (partly thanks to my great trainer, Abi, and wonderful training group, Business 61). The regular requirement to deliver small tasks that covered a wide range of topics, followed by the larger end-of-training project, prepared me for the unpredictable and varied demands of work and delivery on client-site -where anything can be put in front of you, and a proactive and positive attitude is required to deliver results.

What is your position and with what company?

I am working as a Business Analyst for Schroders, an asset management company in the financial services sector.

You are working in financial services. Have you always been interested in working in tech in this space?

During my studies I had a vague idea of wanting to work in tech, but had never really put together where that might be or what I would be doing. I was just looking for a role that would require a wide range of skills, and where no two days would look the same, which I have certainly found!

Tell us a little bit about your day-to-day role. What do you get stuck into technically?

My role entails setting up new and existing business lines in a new alternative investment platform. My days are quite varied and can involve capturing business requirements and translating them into technical requirements, designing the logic and UI of our new system, data architecture, meeting with the business and vendors, developing, testing, project management, process mapping, bug fixing, and much more! 

How have you found your first tech role?

My first tech role has been challenging but rewarding. There has been a lot to learn both in the tech and financial services spaces, but ultimately, I feel I have come a long way in the last 6 months. The role has given me the opportunity to be involved at every stage of the software development lifecycle, and through every phase I have felt I am learning something new and progressing personally and professionally. Seeing a project through from conceptual design through to onboarding and training business users, where now I can see investments being made and the real-world impact of our system, has given me a real sense of achievement.

Do you feel you now have the passion and skill to carve a long serving career in technology?

I feel highly motivated to achieve, deliver, and continue to learn and grow more within fintech. I hope to develop and improve the foundational skillset I have gained from university, Sparta training, and my first six months on-site. I hope I will be able to carry these skills in to a successful career in this space.

What are you looking forward to doing in your new role?

I am looking forward to the ongoing build-out of the system we have configured and defining my own role in how it will be enhanced and supported in the future. The team and I will be onboarding more and more business lines who will benefit from the functionality it can offer. Ultimately, I look forward to playing my part in establishing a strategic ecosystem of tech for the business, the creation of which I will feel I have made a real impact.

Would you recommend Sparta to other graduates and if so – why?

I would definitely recommend Sparta to other graduates seeking a career in tech! For me the real value was in having access to the respected and well-established clients they have in the fintech industry. I owe it to Sparta for helping open the door to the fantastic working environment I find myself in now, and the many opportunities that lie ahead.