My first interview was quite unintentional and was a combination of advice and intriguing life stories. I met this alumni during the alumni weekend at Wesleyan. I was working as the event staff for a black alumni dinner and one of the attendees approached me. She asked for my major and she mentioned that she also works in technology.
After giving her a background of the courses I’ve taken: algorithms, data structures, and software development, she expressed those are great courses and a way to understand the lingo and thinking in the tech world.
She expressed that BlackRock is a dynamic place, especially in the tech department. The culture there is collaborative and innovative. Its all about finding new ways to use technology to better serve our clients and the financial industry. A typical day involves a mix of coding, collaborating with team members, and problem-solving. Team members usually start with a stand-up meeting where they discuss what they worked on yesterday, what they’re planning for the day, and if there are any roadblocks. Then, developers like herself spend a significant part of their day coding and working on projects. There are also meetings for brainstorming sessions, code reviews, and discussions about upcoming features.
As for the culture, it is very much team-oriented. BlackRock believes in the power of collaboration and diverse perspectives. There’s a lot of emphasis on continuous learning and development. You’ll find a mix of experienced professionals and fresh minds, all working towards common goals. We also have various forums and tech talks where you can learn about new technologies and industry trends. I can attest to the value of constant learning as when I was interning at BlackRock, there was an entire platform that contains various learning modules from working with python to learning about marketing.
We ended our interview with a but of advice. She noted to never be afraid of asking questions and seek guidance from your colleagues. The learning curve can be steep, but everyone around you values a culture of mentorship. Also, stay curious and keep up with the latest technologies and trends in the industry. Finally, build a strong network within the company and beyond. It’s not just about what you know but also who you know.
