Congratulations Matthew on being named Spartan of the Month! How did it feel to be recognised?
It was really nice to see I got Spartan of the month as it's always nice to have your efforts recognised!
Let's start with a bit about your background - what and where did you study at university?
I studied Statistics at The University of Glasgow where I did an integrated masters.
So, what led you to decide that Sparta Global was the right career move for you?
When I applied to Sparta Global, I was very interested in both gaining exposure to all areas of data (particularly data engineering) through the Sparta Academy, and exploring the various opportunities that their extensive network could provide.
And when did you officially join Sparta Global?
I joined Sparta Global in January 2025.
Casting your mind all the way back to January up until now, how did you find the training experience at the Academy, and how well did it prepare you for work?
I thoroughly enjoyed the training and found it provided excellent preparation for my current role as a Data Engineer. The emphasis on developing both technical and professional skills was particularly valuable in preparing me for the career opportunities that followed the academy.
Speaking of work, where are you working now and what's your current position?
I currently work as a Data Engineer for a top Financial Services and Insurance provider.
Can you tell us a little bit about your day-to-day role and what you get stuck into?
In my daily role, I work extensively with a cloud-based tech stack, primarily using AWS and Snowflake. My typical responsibilities include working with Infrastructure as Code to provision new services, developing automated data pipelines using AWS and dbt, and managing data observability and usage through Snowflake. The role is highly collaborative, as I frequently work alongside other engineers and architects to develop and enhance our services.
Are you enjoying working in the tech industry and if so, what draws you in about it?
I'm really enjoying working in the tech industry, especially because the work can feel so novel, and I am constantly learning new things which keeps the job feeling fresh.
Lastly, would you recommend Sparta to other graduates and if so, why?
Sparta provides great opportunities to get into major businesses that may otherwise be extremely difficult to get into, especially in such a competitive field like data. I'd highly recommend Sparta to anyone interested in getting into tech, especially if they don't have much professional experience with it, as Sparta does really help get your foot in the door.
