London is the financial centre of the world (according to the Global Financial Centres Index) and therefore its professionals and technology are quite simply the best in the business. Nanosecond delays in communications lose banks business and one tiny bug can down a market and knock millions off prices. If you want to work in an industry with real-world tangible results, this is your sector. Read on for more.
What is it?
Graduates in Banking Technology will work to either develop software that the bank uses for its business and transactions, or they’ll be focusing on the hardware.
Why is it used?
Technology is fundamental to the bank and financial industry. Famously, a $300 million cable was laid across the Atlantic simply to shave off five milliseconds between New York and London. It’s an arms race for speed and complexity.
If you want to stay ahead of the game, see these useful sources that you can use.
Why is it a good career?
Technologists are highly in demand within the financial sector, and they’re rewarded accordingly. It’s a career which will constantly provide you with challenges and test your limits. What’s more, the training will be top-notch, meaning that you either have a very prestigious career ahead of you in Banking, or can take that knowledge down the line to another sector or your own business.
Find out who are the leading graduate employers in the Tech sector.
What types of roles are there?
There's a wealth of different roles to choose from in this sector, but here's a few that are most popular among graduates...
- Programmers: you'll have responsibility for writing and testing individual programmes that can shape a company's given strategy and future growth.
- Software Engineers: you'll research and develop computer software and software systems for clients - software designers have a similar role too.
- Product Manager: product managers work with the team to develop new products and bring them to market, for example: apps, websites or games.
- IT User Support Technicians: also known as help desk support, you'll solve faults and problems as they occur and advise clients to maximise the use of software features.
Discover the other types of graduate roles in the IT and software development sector.
Who would enjoy it and what skills do you need?
First and foremost a graduate who loves technology should consider this career. A passion for finance isn’t so necessary, no one’s expecting you to be an economist, but you should have some interest in what effect your actions will have on the financial world. A graduate who loves fast pace and pressure will thrive in this career, and it will also suit a graduate with global ambitions. Some of the top skills needed to excel in this sector include...
- Problem-solving
- Commercial awareness - signup to Bright Network's weekly updates to stay in the know.
- Ability to work effectively as a team and independently
- Numeracy skills
Read more about the top skills you need in the technology sector and how to improve them.
How to impress on an application
It’s a good idea to have a think about whether you see yourself involved with software or hardware as the best way to stand out is to already start garnering skills for your chosen area. You should choose relevant modules at university, and spend time discovering what tools the employer uses, so you can try something similar in your free time.
Finally, a true stand-out candidate will prove they can cope with pressure and quick changes. Highlight times you’ve had to work to tight deadlines successfully, and show you have volunteered to take on extra work in group presentations in order to obtain a great result. Read our guide to ways to stand out in your technology application.
Where you can go to learn more
Bright Network's career path guide just for technology IT and software development is the place to go for everything you need to kick-start your journey into this sector. From salary expectations, technology interview tips to understanding tech jargon - we have it all and much more!
If you're ready to take the first leap, use Bright Network's list of technology IT and software development graduate schemes to get started.