We caught up with Israel, who joined Baillie Gifford in 2018 as a Trainee Technical Analyst, having completed a Masters in Information and Network Security at Robert Gordon University. He provides us with some incredible insight into the company and his role.
Family values
I applied to multiple firms because I wanted to find the right fit, but Baillie Gifford really stood out. The whole interview process is very personal and, since I’ve joined, it’s felt like being a part of a family. My colleagues have made themselves available to answer questions I might have about certain tasks or projects I’ve been working on.
Mentor support
One of the most challenging aspects of the programme was getting to know all the internal processes at the firm. It takes time to learn how everything fits together, but there are always people on hand to help. My mentor is always keen to make time if I need to talk, either on a personal or professional level. There was also ongoing support from my programme manager, who I met regularly on each specific rotation. You’ll most likely get what you need if you ask the right questions of the right people.
Adjusting to the move
Moving to Scotland was a concern, taking into consideration the weather, leaving family behind, and other factors. The support I received with the move made such a difference. I got some great pointers about finding a place to live and have made friends around the business which made settling in easier. Having lunch together was a great way to get to know people before I officially started at the firm, and catching up further and being involved in various social and charity events has only strengthened relationships with colleagues and given me the opportunity to meet and build further relationships with people outside BG. With Edinburgh, you get the best of both worlds – peaceful green spaces, as well as the buzz of a capital city.
Personal development
Having completed the graduate programme and spent time on rotation with different teams in the Information Systems department, I’m now a member of the Infrastructure and Service Delivery team. During the programme, I had exposure to a wide variety of technologies and projects, which equipped me for the tasks within my current team. I’m still experiencing new challenges and training opportunities, as a result, I see myself developing over the long term here, and I look forward to being a part of the firm's long-term success.
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