Congratulations for being named September Spartan of the Month!
I am incredibly grateful to be named Spartan of the Month. It feels very rewarding to know that my hard work is recognised and that my contributions to the team are making a positive impact.
They certainly are! You have been nominated by your line manager for your “outstanding contribution” to a recent project. Can you tell us a bit more about your role in the public sector?
I am currently an Infrastructure Engineer at the UK Home Office and in my role I support applications related to data science and analytics using tools such as: AWS, Kubernetes, Grafana, and OpenSearch. My main responsibilities are involved with ensuring the services are available by investigating and resolving incidents, managing user administration, automating tasks, and streamlining processes wherever possible.
It's hard to believe you have only been working in technology for the past 18 months! Can you tell us a bit more about your journey so far?
I studied Mechanical Engineering at Brunel University London and began pursuing a career in tech when I was exposed to coding in my previous job. This led me to explore opportunities in the tech industry and I soon came across Sparta Global. I was looking to change careers and enter the tech industry, specifically into DevOps, and Sparta Global’s training programme, along with their industry connections, made it an ideal opportunity to begin and grow my tech career.
I joined Sparta Global in April 2023 and graduated from the Sparta Academy in June.
How did the Sparta Global training help prepare you for work in such a new sector?
The training at the Academy, though challenging at times, was enjoyable because of its structured approach to learning. Each week focused on a different topic, starting with the fundamentals and progressively building on the previous week’s lessons until we covered more complex subjects towards the end.
The programme provided hands-on practical experience, allowing me to gain technical skills in scripting, automation and cloud technologies, while also learning about the culture of DevOps. It also equipped me with key soft skills through numerous group projects and I was given the chance to deliver a professional presentation at the end of my training to outline some of things I had learned too.
I’ve built strong relationships with my mentors as well as my colleagues from my cohort at Sparta Global, many of whom I am privileged to collaborate with daily as part of my team.
And how have you found your first tech role?
It’s been rewarding to gain professional experience supporting enterprise-level IT infrastructure. Working across different teams has allowed me to learn about how a government organisation uses the latest technologies to help benefit the UK, while also strengthening my knowledge of the tools involved.
I enjoy the challenges involved with using new tools and technologies, as they constantly push me to develop my skills. It is fulfilling to find solutions to problems, which often leads to valuable learning opportunities.
Do you see yourself carving a long-serving career in technology now?
Yes, I feel that the skills and experience in DevOps, automation and infrastructure that I have gained from the Academy and working on-site as an Infrastructure Engineer have further aligned my passion for the tech industry and I am excited to continue learning and progressing along my career path.
What would you say to someone considering applying to Sparta Global? Would you recommend the pathway?
Yes. Sparta Global offers an excellent hands-on experience through their training programmes, providing career changers like myself, with both the technical and soft skills needed to connect with Sparta Global’s high-profile clients and overall build a strong, lasting career in the tech industry.
