Alex Wornast
1. What time do you start and finish work, and what’s your work environment like?
I usually arrive at 08:30 and leave at 16:30. The environment is usually quite refreshing, as no two days are the same. The company is very dedicated to our welfare and our engagement, although, at nineteen years of age, I’m one of the youngest in the company. Oh, and most of the people in my team are madder than myself, which is something that I never thought I would say!
2. What might you do in a typical day at work?
To put it simply, I write programs in a statistical analytics tool known as SAS, that provides vital information to business functions. My current role within the Corporate Management Information Systems (CMIS) team, specifically requires me to produce reports and custom dashboards for analytics teams.
3. What Do You Most Enjoy About Your Job
Programming is something that I’ve always found interesting. In my spare time as a student at Sackville, I dabbled with Java, Python, Bash (Linux Scripting language) and various web technologies like SQL, PHP and even the notoriously evil (and yucky) Javascript. So obviously to work in a dynamic environment, where my logical problem-solving capabilities can be fully utilised is easily the most satisfying and enjoyable part of my job.
4. What do you find most challenging about your job?
Probably fixing other people’s work. Some of the programs were written decades ago, so updating them, optimising them and then getting them to stand-up, is certainly a battle! Although then again, I’m sure my code could use a bit of work in some cases too, so who am I to judge?
5. What experience and qualifications do you need to do your job, and do you have any advice for current students looking to go into your sector?
I took A-Levels in Computing, Mathematics and Physics, before starting off as an apprentice in October 2015. During my apprenticeship, I was required to complete a level 4 qualification (equivalent to that of a foundation degree) in Data and Business. This lasted for eighteen months, which I successfully completed in April of this year. After this, I was offered my current role.
I should probably point out that most people with my role have a degree in mathematics, computing or physics and while degrees can be helpful, I believe that I have proved that they are not entirely necessary if you have the enthusiasm and drive to perform and thrive in a fast-paced working environment.