Why I chose a career in software engineering after studying computer science at university

I joined Capital One full time after studying computer science for four years at the University of Nottingham. Up until my second year of uni, I had no specific work experience in my field of study, more particularly in the software engineering domain. I wanted to explore the opportunities available to help me apply what I had learned at uni in a workplace environment. I saw that Capital One had posted a Software Engineering Intern role lasting for 10 weeks in the summer and thought I’d give it a go. I completed a second internship the following year. My only other work experience up to that point had been during sixth form, shadowing an IT team at Froneri (a business behind major ice cream brands). I got some exposure to tech in the workplace there and saw what was involved, but it was not like my Capital One experience. I was able to learn so much as a result of the 10-week programmes I completed. The teams helped me develop my interest in software engineering and taught me to collaborate effectively to deliver amazing work as part of a team.

What I do now

My current rotation is software quality engineering, which involves liaising with product owners and software developers to create suitable tests that ensure we are making high quality products for our end users. One of my favourite projects so far has been working on QuickCheck (our online credit card eligibility checker) experiments to see how we can increase engagement with our credit card eligibility forms to acquire more customers.

Key skills for success

Communication, teamwork and a willingness to learn have been big factors in helping me get where I am now. Whenever I am assigned a task, I really try to understand the problem, so I always reach out to people with any questions that I may have and learn from them. This enables me to focus on delivering a solution better and more effectively.

What is it really like working at Capital One?

I am based at the Nottingham office, which is vibrant and fun. When I first joined, it felt really modern and I knew from that point onwards that it would be a cool place to work. We have a variety of spaces to help boost work productivity and to socialise, such as tech-friendly meeting rooms, games rooms and mini kitchens, along with equipment like standing desks and monitors.

What kind of support do you get (and give) at work?

As graduates, we get a lot of support and encouragement, not just to help us progress well and accomplish projects in-team, but with regards to growing our own careers and thinking about the goals we would like to achieve. This approach has really made me think about work not just in the short term, but with a more holistic perspective. I have regular catch-ups with my manager and mentor, both of whom help me to focus on my career progression as well as become a better software engineer.

Besides that, I have joined the Engage team for the early careers group, which organises outreach events and helps acquire young talent. For instance, I have helped at Nottingham Trent University’s first-ever Hackathon as well as its STEM careers fair. There have also been many team games, both in and out of the office, like table tennis and bowling, which I really enjoy!