Shiyu is Technology Analyst at Accenture, based in Glasgow
What is your role and how long have you been at Accenture?
My role is a Packaged Application Development Analyst, and I've been with Accenture for 6 months.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
My academic background is in Computer Science. Before joining the Accenture Glasgow office, I had been living in Scotland for two years.
What inspired you to apply for this role/this company?
As a Computer Science graduate, I always wanted to develop my career in tech, and in an environment that encourages innovation and diversity. What particularly drew me to Accenture was its unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation while fostering a culture of diversity and inclusivity. Accenture is building a culture of equality, based on respect and inclusiveness, to ensure their people can achieve professional and personal aspirations, and then to deliver 360° value to all stakeholders.
What has been the single most important thing you learned so far in your job?
Since joining, I've received excellent training, including a 7-week full-stack software engineering training. This training was a wonderful experience for me, not only helping me grow new skills, but also allowing me to build long-term friendship with peers in the cohort. In just five weeks, we built a full-stack website together, including a user-friendly UI, well-functioning backend features, and a well-structured database. This experience was very inspiring for me, especially the cooperation with colleagues enhanced my teamwork and leadership.
What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
In my current role, which I've been in since February, my days typically involve a combination of shadowing senior colleagues and taking on independent tasks. During the shadowing process, I closely observe experienced team members as they guide me through specific tasks, sharing their knowledge and answering any questions I have along the way. Additionally, I have the opportunity to work independently on tasks such as developing small code modules, creating testing scripts, and collaborating with the team to track task progress. While I'm still in the learning phase, I actively contribute to project objectives and gain hands-on experience in various aspects of the work. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities for growth, which keeps me engaged and motivated in my role.
Introduce your office and why you applied to that office
I’m based in the Glasgow office, which is located in the city center of Glasgow, just 5 minutes away from the bustling Buchanan Street. It's also about a 10-minute walk from two important transportation hubs: Glasgow Central Station and Queen Street Station, and there's a subway station within a 7-minute walk. Commuting to the Glasgow office is very convenient, whether you prefer to take the bus, train, or subway.
Compared to the Edinburgh office, which is also located in Scotland, the Glasgow office is more compact, making it easier to encounter familiar faces and forming a close-knit community. Tracy, our cheerful building manager, always warmly greets you in the morning, setting a positive tone for the day's work. We also have a fully equipped kitchen and common room, where you can relax and enjoy a coffee break with colleagues during the day.
Additionally, Glasgow is a green city, with its name meaning "dear green place" in Scottish Gaelic, indicating its abundance of parks and natural spaces. Some colleagues in the Scotland offices have initiated challenges such as hiking/walking and Munro Bagging (Munro referring to mountains in Scotland over 3000 feet high). Currently, we've achieved the challenge of bagging 10 Munros within 4 months. If you also enjoy being close to nature, the Glasgow office would be a great choice.