Below, Fara provides insight into his journey from an Intern to a full-time Analyst.
What is your role and how long have you been at MarketAxess?
My journey began in June 2022 as an Intern on a 9-week long internship. I finished this and successfully returned for a full-time role in October 2022. I work Operations, Regulatory Control which means we sit at the hub of all activities here at MarketAxess. We help support all functions of the business, my role varies from client onboarding to ensuring and creating necessary control functions in and around trade and transaction reporting. Simply put, we make sure firms are upholding their commitment to transparency and fairness in the market.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I've really got a mixed bag of experience, starting out as a young person coaching basketball, travelling between countries coaching a range of sports. During this time I had a keen eye on something more technical. So I pursued a self-study route in Computer Programming (big shift, I know!) A couple courses later and I find myself applying for opportunities in and around this field, successfully securing my first job in IT. My next challenge was University - simultaneously I'm still working a full-time job where I've transitioned into Network (Fibre) Engineering at Openreach. My final year of my degree I'm working at a company specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Now I've graduated working in Financial Services!
What inspired you to apply for this role/this company?
I love a good challenge, I love the feeling of something being so far out of reach that I'm committed and determined to making it a reality. MarketAxess because they were the only ones who didn't just talk about change, everything about the business is changing how things have always been done. Who wakes up one day and says 'I want to automate Bond-Trading' I'm not a finance head but I can see how comfortable the world is when everyone is accustomed to doing things 'how it has always been done' MarketAxess isn't about that, it has revolutionized the fixed-income market.
What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?
You are an asset to the people around you. You need to lean into who you are. Feel the fear of asking questions, and ask it anyway! Feel the fear of having an opinion and share it anyway! The worst thing that will happen is you get it wrong, go and get yourself some lunch - you'll be alright!
What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
My team is responsible for controlling risks, it's quite challenging to describe the concept of 'normal' in a space like this. In the ideal world, everyone would report their trades on-time, the information would be correct and accurate and the regulators would smile and go home. It's 'normal' to get into work and a process that been working for weeks suddenly breaks because one of our client has made a change to their infrastructure. It's normal because we expect changes and it's through these changes we adapt, learn and grow.
What do you find most interesting with the sector/industry you’re in?
Everyone is super approachable, even if your first instincts are 'I couldn't possibly speak to them' - I've been amazed with the connections I've made, even on my commute where I walk past other financial institutions and meet the random strangers. It's also interesting how quickly you're able to filter out all the noise, working where I am now I'm able to create my own informed perspective and not fall victim to the click-baited videos - financial literacy is important especially from the right sources!
What is the company culture like?
The vibe I get is I'm allowed to make mistakes, they are an inevitable part of the journey. I learn by doing and it's easy to collaborate and share with others. Nobody here wants to build knowledge silos, there's tons of support and opportunities at becoming the best version of yourself!
How important is diversity to you and what is MarketAxess doing in this space at the moment?
I feel part of a community that is paving the way for people who otherwise would have an opportunity like where I am now. I feel confident enough to speak up about my experiences and journey. This is one of the most important things for me a MarketAxess is doing, listening and then acting - Me writing this is part of what we are doing, I'm here sharing my story for someone to read it and think - I can do this too!
Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at MarketAxess?
Whether you're online or in-person, bring as much energy to the table. Let's see that you're pushing with all the force you can find in this universe. Introvert or Extrovert, you have something inside you that makes you special - we want to see it! If you struggle to show it, then tell us what we can do to support you.
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Keen to learn more? Check out MarketAxess' profile for more information.