As an ANZ Technology Graduate, I learn about and create technology solutions for users of financial products across the world. During the grad program so far, I have rotated to three different areas across the bank.
My three rotations have included roles as a developer in FX Trading, an ML Engineer in triage document processing and a data engineer on the ANZ Plus app.
Working in FX means Foreign Exchange, the trading of foreign currencies. When I first joined ANZ I was surprised at just how large the FX market is. ANZ moved billions of dollars every day through its infrastructure just in this area alone. During this period, it was exciting to work with high performing and innovative technologies.
My next rotation was in Workflow Automation. In this role, I was creating different machine learning models to speed up the time it takes to process a customer’s information. It was great to grow my skills in this particular area as it is both interesting to me and also a rapidly growing profession.
Finally, I have just started as a Data Engineer in ANZx. We are creating data infrastructure so that we can better understand ANZ’s customers and provide them with services that they want and need.
I’ve really enjoyed the diverse range of experiences that I have been able to enjoy over the last year and I’m looking forward to learning and growing here over the years to come.
I grew up in Adelaide and finished high school there in 2015. In Year 12 I did double Maths, Physics, Chemistry and German. At university I had no idea what I wanted to do so I started the same degree as many of my friends, Mechanical Engineering.
After 1 year of this, I knew that it wasn’t quite for me so I changed degrees into a double degree in Mathematics and Finance. My highlights from the university were my semester-long exchange to Sheffield in the UK, playing in the university soccer teams and participating in clubs like 180 Degrees Consulting and the Australia China Youth Association.
While I was at university I worked at Code Camp, teaching primary aged kids to code fun games. I also had more formal work experiences at a startup and a 6-week internship at a larger company as a data scientist. These experiences were great and made the transition into full-time work much easier.
I applied to ANZ in 2020 and after some covid-related delays, I got the job in April of that year.
I’ve been at ANZ since February 2021 and it’s been an amazing journey so far.
People with different backgrounds could definitely succeed in the ANZ Grad Program. What I think is so great about the program is the ability and expectation that you will go out and use your rotations to try new things. To join teams doing things that you think you might like but don’t necessarily have the qualifications for.
For example, I don’t have any direct qualifications in Computer Science or Software Engineering and yet I have been doing some variation of these roles all through the grad program. Having these skills to start was not required, it is an interest in the role and dedication to learn that is what counts.
The coolest thing about the program is the range of projects we get to work on. So far I’ve worked across 3 roles that have been completely different and allowed me to grow my skills in distinct areas. This kind of rotation experience at ANZ is unique as, unlike other grad programs, you aren’t expected to have a background in the areas you will work in, you only need the desire to learn. This feature of the program has allowed me to grow my skills in areas that I have an interest but no formal qualifications.
Given the nature of the ANZ graduate program, and today’s workplace in general, there will be times when you don’t know what to do. Everything is always changing and especially as a grad, you aren’t expected to know everything. Someone in this role should absolutely have the ability to learn and desire to uncover solutions. Whether that is through contacting others or researching your own solution, these problems solving skills are vital in making your time in the grad program a success.
My 3 pieces of advice: