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I started at Goldman Sachs in 1995 as a consultant from a software house installing settlement software and then progressed into the GRAPH team (Global Reporting And Processing Hub) developing trade reporting systems during which time I realised I loved it here so much I became a permanent employee. Just over 18 months ago a role came up to manage the support team for the Pan Euro Shares trading GUIs and my manager thought I would be a good fit – I jumped at the chance and am really loving my current job.
Getting a promotion in 1999 was very exciting as I wasn’t expecting it at all I was also really pleased when my manager suggested my most recent move to my current job – I felt it was a great fit and was delighted that my manager recognised this too.
Why did you choose a career in IT in the first place? e.g. was it a choice or a natural progression from something you'd done previously?
I originally started in electronic engineering with the BBC in 1987 and I worked in the newsroom where all the scripts were still typed on typewriters! After a couple of years we started introducing new computer systems and that’s when I really got excited about computers and software in particular so decided to change my career.
I really feel ‘looked after’ at Goldman Sachs. It’s hard to explain but I have not worked in any other organisation where I think they have got the ‘give and take’ balance right in the way Goldman Sachs has. Goldman Sachs does expect a lot from its people and the work can be challenging but in return you are rewarded well and supported not just with the general things which make the demanding work easier (e.g. on site crèche, dentist, etc.) but also I have had times when I’ve had a lot going on in my personal life and have experienced a lot of support from managers and colleagues when it was needed.
Women are still significantly underrepresented in technology in general, however, Goldman Sachs are truly committed to involving women in technology as much as possible. I think that it is changing gradually and I recently attended a meeting with some of our business users and suddenly realised that there were five technologists in the room and only one of them was male.
I’ve been involved with our European Women in Technology network for many years now and know that lots of people (both male and female) make huge efforts to help recruit, promote and retain women in our technology departments. Goldman Sachs are looking for high quality technicians in an already small pool of women in technology in general, but the challenge doesn’t seem to put people off and I am pleased to be part of the team who work to increase the diversity in our workforce.
As I was initially a consultant here I was largely unaware of the efforts Goldman Sachs made to ensure women are treated fairly and equally. I suppose I thought that my career development was my business but when I became permanent I realised that I had been treated fairly and with respect and that my gender had been completely irrelevant; I had been treated just the same as everyone else in my team and the fact that I was a woman and a consultant had not changed anything. This reassured me that the general culture is to embrace diversity and treat people on their own merits which is great.
I think we need more female role models in the IT industry. It’s dynamic and exciting with so many different careers but when girls are making their career choices at school and university there are not many females they can identify with so IT comes low down on their choice list.
Do think about it as a place for long term career development. There’s a lot to learn in the early stages and Goldman Sachs really commit to your career here so try to think about what you want for the next few years (or longer) and discuss your prospects at interview time. Don’t be put off if you don’t seem to have all the skills that the job description requires – a willingness to learn and have a go at new challenges are really the key.
Enjoy it. Technology really is fun so just find the bits that appeal to you – it might be software development, or hardware design or systems support but play with it and see what you like.
