Adam Matthews is a graduate of Computer Science with a Year in Industry. He works as a Systems Engineer, End User Computing at VMware.<\/p>\n
The programme covered a wide range of topics. I thought that having a solid foundation of key concepts across disciplines would allow me to be flexible later on, especially as technology changes so quickly. The campus was also a massive draw, there were plenty of things to do and it was quick to get into town.<\/p>\n
The range of people I met, some of whom remain good friends. I worked with people who were much smarter than me, which helped me learn and grow personally.<\/p>\n
I was a Trade Support Analyst at Citigroup Global Markets, working with the equities trading desk in Canary Wharf.<\/p>\n
I was part of the Citi Graduate programme even though I was only a placement student. I was given key risk reporting projects within weeks of joining, allowing me to work with many different teams and get exposure across the bank. I was quickly recognised as someone who was able to adapt and adjust to challenging situations, and very quickly allowed to work independently.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The most important skill I learned was how to be an employee. Kent gave me the ability to be a great technologist, so I had that covered. The placement helped me grow my interpersonal skills, engage with people and communicate successfully \u2013 the bedrock of a successful career.<\/p>\n
Having started work at 7:30am and often worked through to the early evening, coming back to University was a breeze! My teamwork skills improved and it boosted my confidence. I knew that I had the tools to approach any new role and demonstrate that I would be a valuable asset to any organisation.<\/p>\n
I believe a year in industry is essential to any degree. It will demonstrate you have the necessary academic qualities, as well as a proven track record in the workplace. It will also give you the skills and confidence to venture into the world of work knowing you can tackle anything.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
I work with VMware\u2019s top Global Accounts (mostly Fortune 500 organisations), helping them deliver the workplace tools that enable you to work from anywhere, easily but also securely. I spend a lot of time travelling to customers in Northern Europe, meeting with executives and running technical pre-sales projects.<\/p>\n
Only a few months after graduating, I had a conversation with a very experienced networking professional, and I was able to understand the concepts and provide an opinion. I have also been able to progress into a\u00a0role where most of my colleagues are 10-20 years or more into their careers and perform to the same levels. Kent helped me jumpstart my career and got me to where\u00a0I am today.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve held roles at three organisations since graduating, including an IT management position. I\u2019ve now been at VMware for three-and-a-half years. In that time I\u2019ve held three different roles, each giving me\u00a0an increased exposure to bigger and bigger customers. I plan on remaining at VMware for the next few years, with plans to get promoted and build my personal brand as an End User Computing industry expert.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"