Early Careers Program | How I went from crunching numbers to crushing code

A bit about myself and how I got here:

I am a Mathematics graduate from Queen Mary, University of London and was a Women in Tech Youth Ambassador until I joined Adaptive’s Early Careers Program in September 2022 as a Front-end Developer.

During my final year at Queen Mary, the pandemic hit, shutting down everything – including the university. The tech industry, though, kept the world going. I decided I wanted to be part of that and joined organisations like STEM Women and Women in Tech to learn about available opportunities and gain confidence in my abilities. Attending their virtual events helped me build my CV and expand my technical knowledge. Who doesn’t want to be part of this unstoppable force that keeps the world going through a difficult pandemic?

I was eager to join a company that values ingenuity and innovative thinking and found exactly that at Adaptive.

The interview process:

Application processes are typically lengthy, often involving multiple online tests and virtual assessments, followed by behavioural and technical interviews. Unfortunately, many companies never get back to applicants after interviews, let alone provide feedback, leaving you unsure whether to expect an offer, and making it hard to learn and improve. This process can take months, with no guarantee of even a response.

Adaptive’s application process was unlike any other I had experienced. It began with a telephone interview, followed by an in-person interview. Despite my nerves, the interviewers made me feel at ease from the moment I stepped into the room. Their supportive and collaborative approach gave me the confidence to showcase my skills. After an interview with Adaptive’s London Director the same day, I received confirmation that I secured a position.

The Early Careers Program (ECP):

The ECP is a reflection of Adaptive’s commitment to developing talent and encouraging professional growth. I joined in September 2022 alongside several other Front-end Developers in London and Barcelona. During the three-month training program on front-end development, I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best developers at Adaptive. The atmosphere was congenial, and the friendships formed amongst the team helped make the work enjoyable and productive.

At first, not having any JavaScript coding experience felt like a huge challenge for me. However, the staff at the program were incredibly supportive and encouraged me to keep going. They provided me with the resources and knowledge I needed to deepen my understanding of front-end development – websites to help improve my coding skills, useful articles, and explanations that were easy to understand.

Once we completed the training program, my manager suggested that I work on something completely different to keep developing my skills, which led to my Star Wars project. Slowly but surely, I began to feel more confident in my abilities.

Soon afterwards, I was assigned to my first client project: building the UI for a digital asset exchange. It was nerve-wracking, but also exciting. The project presented new challenges, but it allowed me to learn even more and apply my training. I am amazed at how my work is contributing to the overall success of the project.

A side project I worked on after completing my training! I built a comprehensive Star Wars website featuring in-depth character profiles

Meet the team! September 2022 front-end intake in London

The People and Perks that Make Adaptive a Great Place to Work:

Adaptive works hard to maintain a culture of collaboration and trust, and improve diversity.

As a woman in tech from a minority background, I have experienced my fair share of feeling out of place in other workplaces. However, at Adaptive, it is the total opposite. I feel valued, respected, and supported and am able to bring my whole self in, not just my “work self”.

The company encourages a sense of unity through initiatives such as:

• hosting talks by internal and external speakers on different topics
• regular company & office updates to provide transparency into what’s going on
• providing an all-faith room, underscoring its commitment to promoting an inclusive work environment.
• Thursday socials provide an excellent opportunity to get to know your colleagues in a relaxed and informal setting.

It’s like being part of the “Finer Things Club”, but for work culture.

Our End of Year Party 2022

Board Game Night

Graduation 2023

The next chapter:

Adaptive’s Early Careers Program provided me not only with valuable technical skills but helped me grow both personally and professionally. I am excited about what the future holds for me at Adaptive! Working alongside talented and supportive colleagues has given me the confidence to challenge myself and deepen my knowledge. The fintech industry is constantly evolving, and I am fortunate to be part of a company that values innovation and creativity.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story! If you read this far, I hope my experiences at Adaptive inspired you in some way. If you are passionate about technology and want to learn more, get in touch with the talent team at Adaptive or reach out to me on LinkedIn!

 
 
 
 
 

Tehreem Khan
UI Developer