Karolina
Engineering Lead Analyst
2+ Years at Citi
"I know that to say 'every day is different' is a bit of a cliché, but it is certainly a truth in this job. When you log-in in the morning you have no idea what the day will bring. That keeps you motivated and the job itself challenging, yet fulfilling."
My career journey:
I’m a Polish native but I’ve lived in Ireland for the last 13 years. I developed a passion for technology in primary school when I would take apart and attempt to put back together any electronics I could get my hands on. My first project was a red Walkman, needless to say, it never worked again but that hasn’t stopped me.
I hold two Bachelors and two Masters Degrees. My bachelor’s degrees are in IT with Business and Sociology and my Masters are in IT Architecture and on in Political Sciences and Administration. My degrees have given me the unique opportunity to look at technology and business via a different set of lenses, with a hope of bridging the two silos.
In my spare time I enjoy an occasional good book with a cup of tea.
My role:
Day-to-day, I lead a Global team responsible for enacting governance prior to the on-boarding of externally hosted applications. We are a part of the CTI Developer Services/Provisioning and Experience team. The team supports due diligence for cloud and non-cloud hosted external applications with a diverse set of architectures.
We make sure that software doesn’t introduce un-managed risk to Citi and our customers. We partner cross functionally with our regional counterparts and various teams in IT security, resiliency, infrastructure, and the procurement space.
How I got started:
One day I was browsing through my phone on the way home and I came across an ad for an Enterprise Architect focused on cloud computing. It sounded so intriguing, that, mostly out of curiosity, I decided to apply for it. During my interview, my interviewer and I discussed ideas I had on creating a balance between governance and the business needing to fulfill its mission. I walked away from the conversation knowing that it was something I could see myself doing and enjoying.
A day in the life:
Most of my days are spent in virtual meetings discussing various software offerings with SMEs and looking at architectural diagrams and documentation to determine if a solution is viable. It involves a lot of coffee and can be intense!
What I enjoy most:
I know that to say 'every day is different' is a bit of a cliché, but it is certainly a truth in this job. When you log-in in the morning you have no idea what the day will bring. That keeps you motivated and the job itself challenging, yet fulfilling.
Advice for others:
The advice I would share is to stay current with what is happening in both technology and the business world. Work on your communication skills. If you tend to hesitate to pick up a phone and call someone, regardless of their title or department, you should work on it. Any problem can be solved if you talk to people.
Why Citi?
- A positive, well-grounded corporate culture which allows you to grow not only as a professional, but also as an individual.
- Flexible working arrangements make a big difference and allow true ‘work-life balance’.
- You feel connected to everyone you work with regardless of where in the world they are located or the job function they perform. If there is a matter which needs to be discussed, you’re implored to just pick up the phone or type a quick IM.
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