We recently caught up with Kate after she secured her internship at Macquarie. We discussed what the application process was like and a normal day in the role. She also shared her top tips for members looking to follow in her footsteps.
Why Macquarie?
Macquarie Group is an inclusive and diverse workplace, which creates a very supportive atmosphere. This was very clear after visiting the office for the Spotlight on Technology day, and meeting and networking with employees. Everyone was very enthusiastic and welcoming, which allowed me to ask questions and learn a lot about the company and the roles available.
What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
During my internship, a ‘normal’ day would involve some work coding projects and some professional development work. This included meeting with immediate team members who helped develop our software engineering practices, wider team members who each explained their role and how it fit together with others, and Interns to learn about their teams and projects, developing an understanding of the business as a whole.
What was the application process like? What did you enjoy the most?
The application process is very smooth and quick, and feedback was provided soon after each stage. Organisers were also eager to help answer any questions, making the process a lot less daunting.
The part I enjoyed the most was the in-person interviews. The questions covered a variety of topics from problem-solving to programming languages and personal experience, which was interesting and allowed me to demonstrate a variety of skills. All the interviewers were friendly, explained the work and answered questions allowing me to get an understanding of what working at Macquarie would be like.
How has Bright Network helped you in your career so far?
Before university, I had very little experience within Technology, and since it is such a broad field, I found there were lots of possible options when it came to looking at careers. Bright Network provides really useful resources to learn about a variety of roles and companies and was a great place to find and apply for related internships. There is also advice for every stage of the application process from CV writing to networking at assessment centres, which helped along the way.
Any tips for anyone who would like to apply for a similar role at Macquarie?
1. Having a basic understanding of the work that financial services organisations do will help along with technical knowledge. Make sure you research and understand what work Macquarie does.
2. Explain your ideas clearly and concisely. This will help the interviewers understand your thought processes. It also helps them identify your problem-solving strengths by understanding how you approach a problem.
3. If you get the internship, take full advantage of all the opportunities. Learn as much as you can about as many teams and business areas as possible and get involved in Intern activities to build your network.