January Spartan of the Month: Madeline Grace Kuncewicz

Congratulations on the achievement of becoming Spartan of the month! What a great way to start off the New year. How did you decide Sparta Global was the right career move for you?

As someone who has always taken an active interest in technology and innovation, this was the perfect opportunity for me to combine that with what I learned in my degree. I was also looking to gain further qualifications in a specialised skill set to kickstart my career, which the Academy provided. A roadmap designed for developing graduates was exactly what I was looking for.

 

What did you study at university and how long after did you join Sparta Global?

I studied Business Management with Spanish for Professional Purposes from the University of Sussex, achieving a First-Class Honours Degree. Shortly after graduating, I joined Sparta’s Business Analysis team in June of 2022. My current role at Sparta global is Junior Business Analyst at a British multinational financial services and asset management company headquartered in London. 

 

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

It was a lot of fun! I’m an enthusiastic learner, and pride myself on my leadership and collaboration skills, which I got to practice within this role. We got the opportunity to thrive both individually and as a team, through our projects and data driven reports. The training valued both practical skills alongside softer skills, setting a high standard for communication and stakeholder management. 

 

Can you tell us about the connections you have built through Sparta?

I’ve met lots of inspiring people through the Sparta Women’s Network while I was supporting in an International Women’s Day event, shortly after joining the company. I’ve since reconnected with them, and it has been great to share those memories and it’s clear we’ve formed long lasting relationships. I’ve also built a strong foundation with my Sparta management team to make my time with the client a success. With so much opportunity to get to know my Sparta colleagues on a personal level, we get to drive towards our goals with confidence.

Outside of Sparta and on the client side, I get exposure to highly experienced senior members of the organisation which gives me opportunity to learn from them, grow professionally, and showcase my capabilities. I also take opportunities with my client’s company to meet new people, for example by joining the Women’s Network and attending their events.

 

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

I’m currently part of the HR Change Portfolio and my activities include modelling processes, creating scenario planning diagrams to guide senior stakeholders through their decision-making, and managing project requirements to be able to assess our delivery.

 

I also investigate the internal and external context of the business changes to ensure all influencing factors are accounted for. For example, by consulting Subject Matter Experts on the team, I’m creating an Impact Assessment which will be used for benchmarking the success criteria in the requirements documentation, ultimately ensuring that all internal processes are up to date. Aside from my project work, I’m producing a Business Analysis Training Pack for other Junior Analysts and Apprentices, designed to give them hands-on experience with Stakeholder Management and Requirements Engineering.

In addition, I’m part of a team that’s redesigning our Business Analysis Service Framework, generating a ‘Service Catalogue’ of useful templates, making us more efficient. 

 

How have you found your first tech role?

It’s such an enjoyable journey! It’s just as exciting as it is challenging, and I get to work with interesting people from a number of different backgrounds. I enjoy working for a company with such varied perspectives at the heart of what they do.

Continuous learning is a priority for me in all aspects of my life and I feel that both Sparta and my client also share this value. I feel supported and have found an abundance of opportunity to upskill, from online courses, Sparta-facilitated certifications, mentorship programmes, virtual coffees, and coaching to BA-specific books and podcasts.  

My job energises me because it’s social, collaborative, and dynamic which fits perfectly with my personality. I get to explain complex issues and concepts to stakeholders and guide us through challenges to arrive at the best possible outcome for the business. I do this by harnessing my natural creativity to generate visually impactful representations of data.

Most importantly, I get to do this for a company that I believe in, and where I see myself thriving long-term. I feel fulfilled in my professional life and more driven than ever to excel. 

 

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

I do yes. Because with experience, I’m learning more about myself, the industry, and what makes my role models successful. My future is bright, and I have the tools and support to achieve great things. This stands true outside of work too – investing in physical and mental health sets you up well for sustainable success in all areas. 

I’m looking forward to continuing to build my reputation as an outstanding Business Analyst, nurturing connections with people across the company, whilst partaking in pieces of work both within and alongside my projects. I love to go above and beyond to show both myself and my colleagues what we can achieve as a team. I’m looking forward to learning more from others by encouraging feedback and setting myself targets for continuous improvement. Overall, I’m most excited to keep learning.

 

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

I’m truly honoured and thrilled to receive this recognition! It’s great to be part of a team that celebrates hard work and commitment, and this is testament to being surrounded by people that lift each other up. Thank you to everyone at Sparta and L&G who has and continues to support me. 

 

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

I’d highly recommend Sparta to other graduates and anyone looking to join the tech industry. The training programmes not only reflect market demands, equipping you with highly sought-after skill sets, but also focus on soft skill development, leaving you a confident communicator and an educated decision-maker. Their commitment to developing their Spartans is exceptional. Joining Sparta opens you to amazing opportunities and if I graduated tomorrow, I’d do it all again.