Massive congratulations to Atefeh in securing a role as a Software Engineering Graduate in the Application Modernisation Services Practice at Atos! We caught up with her to hear more about her incredible journey at the firm, gain some insights into the company culture and get her advice on how to secure a role at Atos.
Atefeh Eslahi
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I graduated with a Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Surrey, this was a 5-year course as I completed a year’s industrial placement at BMW. Although I learned a lot throughout my placement year, I felt that it lacked the fast-paced nature I wanted in my career. Instead, I applied to roles in software engineering at tech companies where I was excited about the prospect of being introduced to new things and having to keep up with the latest industry trends.
Fast-forward to now, I am over a year into my Software Engineering Graduate Scheme at Atos and have loved being able to consistently develop and build on my skills
What inspired you to apply to Atos?
Throughout my time at university, the aspect I enjoyed the most was the ability to constantly learn new things. What excited me about Atos was that they are invested in their employee's development, they have such a forward-thinking mindset where their employees can grow both personally and professionally. It was clear that I would be expected to change and continue learning through getting involved in things outside my day-to-day role. As I researched more, I could see that at Atos, people are always striving to achieve more - this was something I wanted to be a part of.
What are the top skills needed to succeed in your role?
- Adaptability – the tech industry is a complex and fast-paced environment, things are constantly changing so it's crucial that you can adapt to deal with new situations, people, and challenges.
- Proactivity – being proactive will open the door to limitless opportunities. You're in an environment where you're in control of your success, you won't be forced into doing things that you don't want to but no one will chase you up to do things that are good for you. You need to be organised and drive the direction of your career.
- Organisation – you want to be a valued part of the team. Time and self-management are key as in my role you need to be able to train, work, and network all at once.
- Client management – it's important to be able to talk to people, understand what they need and offer solutions to overcome their issues. You need to be confident in suggesting new ideas and be able to communicate these in a way that clients can understand.
This isn’t necessarily a skill, but it’s important to know what you want from your career. Having a clear direction helps you to identify what opportunities Atos offer that can help you to achieve your professional goals.
What kind of training have you received and how has this helped your professional development?
For my role, I received both formal and on-the-job training. Upon joining I completed 3 months of technical training as a software engineer, this covered all aspects of the job from software development to agile delivery and equipped me with the knowledge to deal with real projects. The training was delivered in a variety of formats including tutorials, online platforms, and group projects.
Following this formal training period, I have continued in my learning and development through having access to online training platforms and subscriptions. Atos encourages their employees, particularly graduates, to get involved in training and upskill as they want us to bring a fresh perspective to the company.
What does a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
I can drive the direction of my day at Atos. Typically, I have lots of client meetings that are focused on how I can help overcome their problems through delivering tailored solutions. We have team stand-ups where we set tasks, check in with each other, share ideas, and ensure that everyone is managing their workload well.
I like to dedicate a part of my day to focus on delivering the more technical aspects of my job and getting my projects organised.
On top of my day-to-day role, I make time to get involved with other activities and projects. This flexibility to work on different projects has exposed me to colleagues in different areas of the business and allowed me to gain a wider perspective of the business.
What do you find most interesting about the technology industry you are in?
I love being able to learn new things, the tech industry allows me to do this as there is constant change and rapid innovation. Also, I find it incredible that I am working on high profile projects working with some of the most important government bodies to deliver critical projects.
What is the company culture at Atos like?
Atos is such a friendly and helpful place. From day one, you feel so welcome as people are willing to help you and want you to succeed. There's such open communication within the company which has allowed me to form close working relationships with my managers, everyone has been so supportive and willing to offer their guidance.
Has anything surprised you since you started?
I realised very quickly that I was the one responsible for my success, no one was going to force me to do something I didn’t want to but equally no one would chase me up to take opportunities. I think that it’s important to take the reins on your career and know that you can determine where it will take you.
Another aspect of life at Atos that I didn’t expect was how much recognition you get for your work. There is such a great appraisal system that gives you such positive acknowledgment for even the small things, this makes you feel such a valued part of the company.
If you could give any piece of advice for grads thinking about applying to Atos, what would it be?
My advice would be to be yourself and be honest about your goals. At Atos, you will be a part of a company that wants you to be your authentic self so don’t feel like you need to be someone else. People here really appreciate you for who you are and for your unique differences, so show who you are through your unique experiences and aspects of your life. People will respect that you are being honest and showing your true self.
I've had an incredible time at Atos so far and have thoroughly enjoyed all the challenges that I have had to overcome. If you are looking for a place where you can be a part of things wider than just your day-to-day role and want to add real value, Atos is the place for you.
Find out more about how you can follow in Atefeh’s footsteps here.