HSBC |

University and Degree course read : Durham University – English Literature and History BA

Typical day-to-day activities, what your role entails within DBS. Any misconception you had about your business area, anything you particularly enjoy etc?

I am in the Compliance pod of the Unified Communications team, which means I 1) help to ensure HSBC staff are using Zoom features in compliant ways and 2) help to bring new Zoom features into the HSBC environment to improve our ways of working.

Day-to-day activities involve filling out documentation and having meetings with colleagues from a range of different business lines. The people management and communication skills are the most important part of my job which I was not expecting in a “tech” role, but I enjoy those parts a lot! My role involves no coding either, which was initially surprising but not anymore, given how big DBS is and the range of activities supporting the engineering and operation of our tech.

What surprised you about Sheffield and the office? Are you local to the area originally or have you moved here from somewhere else?

I’m from Hong Kong so it is my first time in Sheffield as well, I enjoy the slower pace of living in Sheffield. I also love how many independent cafes there are around the city, allows me to enjoy some good food while reading a book.

What are your colleagues and culture like within Grosvenor House, Sheffield? Are you involved in any Employee Resource Groups?

Everyone in the Sheffield office is so nice and helpful! I thought it would be a lot more austere and quieter like in a “corporate” environment, but there is a real sense of community here. I’m not involved in any ERGs but there are lots of activities to get involved in that aren’t connected directly to an ERG.

What tips/encouragement would you give to anyone considering a similar pathway to yours?

If you’re not from a tech background, just be confident in the skills you already have, there is always a role in DBS where those skills will be needed.

Talking to others is a key skill that connects the engineers to the business which is a super important role!

University and Degree course read : University of Manchester, Information Technology for Business Management

Typical day-to-day activities, what your role entails within DBS. Any misconception you had about your business area, anything you particularly enjoy etc?

I particularly the opportunities to get to know the wider team in office and learning opportunities for areas outside my direct line of work. My day-to-day activities include envisioning the future strategy for global operations and being a part of the decisions for how we will get there as a bank which is exciting!

What surprised you about Sheffield and the office? Are you local to the area originally or have you moved here from somewhere else?

I originally moved from Manchester to Sheffield (not too far), but I have found that Sheffield has a nice balance of city and countryside with the Peak District around the corner.

What are your colleagues and culture like within Grosvenor House, Sheffield? Are you involved in any Employee Resource Groups?

The Sheffield office is great with the ‘grad zone’, there is a nice community of graduates, who all organise events, so it is great for making friends, especially in a new place. I am involved in the ‘Balance’ Employee Resource Group which is a community to raise awareness and promote gender equality.

What tips/encouragement would you give to anyone considering a similar pathway to yours?

Do it! Even if you don’t know exactly what you want to do, there is opportunities and support to explore a variety of pathways to shape your career.

University and Degree course: Nottingham Trent – BA Business with a placement year imbedded

Typical day-to-day activities, what your role entails within DBS. Any misconception you had about your business area, anything you particularly enjoy etc?

My role is Cloud Specialist within WPB IT – with my degree being so diverse I was open minded in regard to what role I was placed in, so I haven’t come across any major misconceptions. Day-to-day I frequently speak with my manager about projects taking place and updates on the tasks I work on.

What surprised you about Sheffield and the office? Are you local to the area originally or have you moved here from somewhere else?

I was surprised at how modern and advanced the Sheffield office is. It is very welcoming and spacious. I had to relocate to Sheffield as I am from Milton Keynes, so this was a big step, but I have settled in Sheffield fairly quick. I recommend living somewhat close to the office both walking distance and via tram or bus.

What are your colleagues and culture like within Grosvenor House, Sheffield? Are you involved in any Employee Resource Groups?

I was pleasantly surprised at how friendly everyone is within the office and my cohort especially. Luckily the other grads are in the same circumstance, so we all support each other and explore Sheffield which has really helped me settle.

What tips/encouragement would you give to anyone considering a similar pathway to yours?

I would encourage anyone to invest time into getting to know your cohort and colleagues to build a strong foundation of support and open your opportunities. Also make sure you invest time into yourself and hobbies alongside work to ensure a healthy balance. As I am new to cloud optimisation, I carry out courses alongside my day-to-day tasks to keep growing my knowledge about my role which helps with progression and quality of work.

University and Degree course: University College London (UCL) BSc Biomedicine

Typical day-to-day activities, what your role entails within DBS. Any misconception you had about your business area, anything you particularly enjoy etc?

My day-to-day activities mostly include providing support within the Organizational Excellence team in Global Operations and Automations (GO&A) Technology, where I collaborate with my manager on People and Culture initiatives, focusing on learning development and recognition culture. My role involves curating learning pathways, recommending readings and trainings to support the creation of learning materials. Additionally, I assist with the end-to-end GO&A Tech CIO Awards process and contribute to producing achievement videos for the quarterly All Hands meetings, helping to strengthen the recognition culture within the organization.

What surprised you about Sheffield and the office? Are you local to the area originally or have you moved here from somewhere else?

Leaving London for Sheffield was like entering an entirely different world. The constant rush and noise of London is very different to Sheffield’s calmer and quiet streets. I enjoy taking walks up the city’s hills, where I can exercise and enjoy the scenic views from the hilltop.

The modern architecture of the Grosvenor House stands out, offering a unique and vibrant atmosphere. The office’s colourful and open environment is a refreshing contrast to the corporate spaces I had known in London.

What are your colleagues and culture like within Grosvenor House, Sheffield? Are you involved in any Employee Resource Groups?

My colleagues in Sheffield have been incredibly welcoming and understanding of my position as an individual in the early stages of her career. They are always open to my questions and respond with encouragement and support. I have never felt excluded and am consistently included in all conversations and team meetings. I feel like an active and contributing member of the team, as I am assigned tasks on the Kanban board just like everyone else. Additionally, I have full access to the team’s materials and meetings, which further enhances my involvement.

What tips/encouragement would you give to anyone considering a similar pathway to yours?

I would encourage anyone considering a similar path to always keep an open mind, stay optimistic, and embrace the opportunity to learn new things. Cultivating a sense of appreciation can be a powerful motivator, helping to maintain momentum and perseverance throughout the journey. Also get ready to learn a whole plethora of acronyms!