Congratulations Archie, on being named one of our Spartans of the Month! How did it feel when you found out?
It was a genuine honour to be named Spartan of the Month. It’s always rewarding to be recognised early on in your career.
Let’s start with your background, what and where did you study at university?
I studied Computer Science (MEng) at the University of Southampton from 2019 to 2024. During my time there, I specialised in Artificial Intelligence, focusing on topics such as Computer Vision and Natural Language processing.
Sounds like a fascinating journey! When did you officially join Sparta Global?
I joined Sparta on June 30th, 2025, as an Automated Test Engineer.
And how did you first discover Sparta Global, what made you decide it was the right career move?
During my Master’s group project at University, I got my first introduction to testing software everything from Unit, Unit Integration, End to End, and user Acceptance Testing. That experience sparked my interest in Software Testing. Then I began looking for entry-level automated testing roles, which is where I came across Sparta Global’s website.
The idea of being hired, trained, and deployed really appealed to me as I’d be able to build a stronger foundation in testing before entering the professional world.
And how did you find your training at the Academy?
The Sparta Academy training was excellent. It covered the foundations of Automated Testing in great detail, which prepared me well for deployment. An additional bonus was the professional skills training, learning how to answer common questions like “Tell me about yourself” made a real difference in interviews and helped me build confidence in workplace interactions, ultimately helping me to secure my current role.
What about the people, what kinds of connections have you built through Sparta?
I was lucky to train alongside an incredibly talented group of Spartans who made the experience both enjoyable and collaborative. During deployment, my immediate team and the wider group have been fantastic to connect with. Everyone has been supportive and open to providing opportunities for growth, which has been fantastic for my early career.
Can you tell us about your current role and the company you’re working with?
I’m currently an Automated Test Engineer at a large corporate law firm.
What does a typical day look like for you, tell us more about your day-to-day role?
Day to day, I mainly focus on testing the new business intake system. This involves creating automated tests wherever possible and performing some manual testing when needed. I work in a small team of four, and they’ve been incredible in helping me transition smoothly into the role.
How have you found your first Tech role so far?
I’ve really enjoyed it! Compared to university, working across a large team with a diverse skillset has been eye-opening and insightful.
Are you enjoying working in the Tech industry overall?
Absolutely. Being part of large, cross-functional projects has allowed me to learn about different Technologies, Methodologies, and ways of working that I hadn’t encountered before.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in your new role?
I’m looking forward to learning more about creating Automated Tests using a Model-based approach. It’s an area that really interests me, and I’m eager to continue developing those skills further.
Do you feel you now have the passion and skill to carve a long-serving career in Tech?
Yes, definitely. In the long term, I’d love to progress into a Test Manager role or potentially move diagonally into DevOps.
Finally, would you recommend Sparta Global to other graduates?
100%. Sparta has provided me with both the technical and professional skills to succeed as an Automated Test Engineer. The team has been incredibly supportive throughout the entire process, from training to deployment.
