The perfect environment to help transition to a new industry

Having spent the previous three and a half years working for a major investment bank, I was contemplating a fresh start, an opportunity to progress within my career. Then BANG. A global pandemic. Any feelings of nerves, confusion, seeds of doubt when considering a career change, can be multiplied x 100 while in the midst of a pandemic.

An Opportunity

Thankfully, in February 2021, I discovered the perfect opportunity which Kainos had to offer, the BA academy. From submitting my application, to the first interaction I had with Katie Walker (Recruiter), I felt those initial seeds of doubt and confusion evaporate instantaneously. From then, each interaction from interview to receiving the offer made me feel at ease and I was confident that this was the correct move for me. My People Manager had reached out to me prior to joining and has been very supportive along my relatively short time at Kainos, scheduling regular catch ups and assisting me with my goals so that I can develop and grow within my role.   

A Platform

My first two weeks at Kainos were part of the BA Academy programme, which was an invaluable experience for me. It helped to map out the role of a BA within the various projects at Kainos, the skills and techniques required to add value, and most importantly it gave me confidence that I was within the correct environment to progress. Prior to joining Kainos, it would be fair to say that I had limited knowledge or experience of AGILE or SCRUM, but the Academy helped build this knowledge from early on. One aspect of the Academy that I found invaluable was the opportunity to build my network with other people who had also joined- people in a similar path to you, joining a new business and industry VIRTUALLY!

The Academy was structured in such a way that you could have interactive ice breaker sessions which helped me build a rapport with others from day 1. This was fantastic for building confidence and friendships early on. The Academy focused on various topics which were covered within workshops. These topics included User Stories, Effective Facilitation, and Scope Management, to name but a few. A mini live project followed which helped apply the knowledge developed in the workshops and allowed us to work collaboratively to solve a real problem for a charity. The 3-week BA Academy helped to build a solid foundation for my first project at Kainos.

My First Project

Once the BA Academy had finished, I was ready to join my first project. I was notified that I would be joining a major government sector project. The Product Owner had reached out personally and set up some time to build the narrative around what this project would entail and where I would slot in. This first interaction made me feel welcome and immediately put me at ease. My arrival within the project was structured, there was a plan in place for me to shadow a senior product consultant so that I could ease into the role, develop knowledge and understanding of what Kainos aims to deliver for the client.

Joining ceremonies such as daily stand ups and refinement and planning sessions helped to build a relationship with my colleagues and really made me feel welcome. Any questions I had on my role, or questions surrounding the project, my colleagues were more than willing to help with. Kathryn, my Product Owner, has been vital in helping me transition. Kathryn has given me room to grow into the role, provided me with opportunities within a safe environment, and has given me scope to express myself within the project. Coming into a new business, I was keen to hit the ground running and put my name out there, so I pitched an idea to have a European Championship sweepstake with the wider team on the project. Kathryn was happy for me to run with the idea, and this gave me the opportunity to build a rapport with my colleagues. I also have weekly catch ups with Kathryn on a 1-2-1 basis which we discuss my progress, opportunities to tap into and any concerns or fears I may have. This is pivotal to my development as I can receive feedback and pinpoint areas which I can focus on for the coming week.

The Future

Three months have passed since I joined Kainos, and I have not looked back!

The support network and emphasis on employee wellbeing has been first class. It has aided my transition into a new industry, especially during a pandemic. I feel privileged to have had numerous opportunities already in my short time here and I really feel like I am growing into the role. I am genuinely excited to see how my journey progresses with Kainos!