Investing in the future generations of technologists
Stephen joined PwC’s Operate practice in Scotland in April 2020, working as an Agile Transformation Manager and Scrum Master. He now works in collaboration with clients to find new ways of solving complex business needs. Beyond his role he works with school leavers and students with non-technical backgrounds to help them navigate careers in project delivery.
Tell us about a typical day in your role at the firm?
My everyday working hours are from 9:00am to 5:00pm, although I do have the ability to pick when I start and finish my day. I usually start the day with a scrum meeting for 15 minutes, followed by 1-1 meetings with developers and the product owners. I also have daily meetings with our clients and product owners to keep communication lines open and to ensure the developers are building what was agreed.
Tell us about the best project you have worked on to date?
My first project involved discovering how a large utility operator could use agile ways of working to transform their organisation. I loved that our team was involved in the early stages of the project and could really help shift the mindset and cultural changes that need to be in place to make the large-scale transformation successful. Overall, I was proud to see how each member of the team was made to feel valued and that they had an important part to play in the project's success.
Are you involved in any initiatives or programs to help prepare the next generation of tech talent?
I’m currently leading a pilot to train school leavers and non-traditional applicant employees in project delivery. This is a 6 month program which gives training in business analysis, project management, agile ways of working and business acumen with practical experience. I also volunteer to do 1-2-1 calls with students from my old university to showcase tech as a career and what experiences they can expect. I also help with graduate recruitment and volunteer to help with interviews.
It’s important that experienced professionals take the time to invest in our future generations of technology. There’s no better way to learn than from someone who is working in the role.
Are you involved in any mentoring or volunteering programs?
It was one of the first things that I did. I help with a few volunteering initiatives but I’ve just launched an innovation program in Technology to embed innovation in the group. My team is collating best practices, templates and accelerators, getting jam sessions booked and using social media to share the great work that we do.
I’m also currently mentoring four employees at the firm. Each has different needs and wants, so it’s important to address those but also give them a wider breadth of knowledge. It’s challenging but rewarding.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
The move to blended working has allowed me to spend more time with my family and my new hobby, learning how to cook. I’d never have bought shallots, leeks, rice wine or bulgar wheat, now they are staples. I also volunteer to lead my local Residents Association. It’s the largest in Scotland with over 2,000 members and we’re currently going through the largest community land transfer in central Scotland; another learning curve for me and could be a full time job if I allowed it.
What skills or attributes are important to enable a successful career in tech?
Being pragmatic. The best technologists are pragmatic people who learn fast and pivot to what works best. Key is also to be analytical and use empirical data and lessons learned to develop from. Having a love of learning also helps. I worked with a client who was interested in learning more about cloud computing, so I became AWS cloud certified to broaden my knowledge and to understand how cloud solutions can solve client problems.
Learn more about technology careers at PwC.
