Light Okah, a Graduate Software Engineer, has secured a permanent job as she approaches the end of the bank’s two-year Graduate Programme. Here, we talk to Light and Beena Divakaran, who has been Light’s Graduate Manager for the last two years, about the highlights of their experiences.
Graduate Software Engineer Light Okah has successfully applied for a permanent job as an AI Software Engineer in Wealth, where she’s been working for the last six months in her final rotation of the Graduate Programme. We featured Light previously, you can read the first blog here.
In her new job, Light is part of an AI Centre of Excellence team enabling AI capabilities in technology, which will benefit colleagues and customers. Her main work involves writing code, something that she’s been able to enhance by using AI Colleague tools.
Beena Divakaran, a Programme Manager in the Technology team, has been Light’s Graduate Manager since she joined the programme two years ago after completing a System Engineering degree at Warwick University.
“I’ve been so lucky with how my four rotations have flowed, as I’ve been able to take my knowledge and new skills to add value to the next one,” explains Light. “I started in Payments before moving to FinCrime, followed by a stint in Data & Analytics working on generative AI projects, and finally Wealth, where I’ve been working on AI projects.”
Light and Beena both say their relationship and the experience has enriched their professional growth in many ways.
“I’ve grown as a mentor and leader, especially through the more challenging moments that called for resilience and empathy,” says Beena. “Learning alongside Light, understanding the areas she explored and seeing her thrive have all shaped my own development. It’s been a privilege to be part of her journey, and I’m proud of the growth we’ve both achieved.”
“As a naturally shy person, I found it difficult to put myself forward for opportunities, but Beena encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone,” explains Light. “She helped me find ways to present my work, share my experiences, expand my network, and increase my visibility – all of which have been invaluable for my growth.”
For Beena, it’s been a privilege to be part of Light’s journey over the past two years. “You’ve truly excelled in every challenge and navigated a steep learning curve with resilience, curiosity and grace,” adds Beena. “Securing this job is a testament to your hard work, adaptability and the impact you’ve made across your rotations. Wishing you continued success as you take this exciting next step in your career. You’ve earned it!”