Who Am I?

Hello, I’m Callum. Growing up, I was always fascinated by technology. My family always knew I was going to be involved in something tech related. I was introduced to coding in primary school, and from there, my interest in computer science took off. During college, I specialised in computing, and I then went on to university, specialising in software development.

My degree coincided with the onset of the pandemic, which made remote learning a challenge. However, I adapted and graduated last year with an honour’s degree in software development.

Why AFB?

When I first heard about AFB what caught my attention was the small, intimate culture. I’ve seen how in big corporations, everything’s a bit distant. AFB had won awards for being a great workplace, which encouraged me to apply for a position.

My interview with Sheryl and Andy was the most pleasant first interview I’ve ever had. They were incredibly encouraging and passionate, it was such a positive experience it made me realise that AFB was where I wanted to be.

The culture is really good, everyone is welcoming and friendly… its professional without being corporate.

My Role and First Project

I’ve joined as a graduate software developer, and my first project involves working with Maximo, an asset management system mainly used in the energy industry. My tasks will include creating automation scripts to make the service run smoother and help users manage work orders more effectively.

Skills I Hope to Develop

While I aim to deepen my technical skills, especially in coding for scalability, I also want to focus on my soft skills. I’ve always tried to be an effective communicator, even during my university days. I volunteered to lead conversations and present projects. I want to continue that in a professional setting, not just within the software team but across all departments.

The First Week’s Highlights

I really appreciate that AFB invested in a graduate programme to support my soft skills development alongside meeting other graduates.

It was quite a first week, to say the least. The biggest highlight was probably the day at Transition Extreme. Imagine going rock climbing and skateboarding all in one day! It was a memorable experience, especially since I’m terrified of heights. But the harness and the guidance from the instructor made me feel quite confident.

It was a great way to break the ice with other graduates who I’ll be seeing every so often across the next 10 months within the graduate program. Within this programme I can not only develop personally but also meet a community of others in similar graduate positions to myself.

The onboarding experience to AFB itself has been seamless and I feel well-prepared and supported for the weeks ahead.

Company Culture at AFB

The culture at AFB is intimate and relaxed. It’s a smaller business, so everyone helps each other out. On my first day, Magda set up some music and asked me if there’s anything in particular I’d like to listen to, adding to the great atmosphere.

The office itself is extremely colourful, modern and a pleasure to work in!

What Surprised Me the Most

What surprised me the most was how nice everyone has been and how supportive the team have been. Alan, my customer contact who was on annual leave, even gave me a reassuring call about the first project I’m working on. It’s the small things like that which really add up and make you feel welcomed.

Advice for Future Graduates

If I could give advice to myself two weeks ago or to any future graduates, it would be to take things one step at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking about the entire process all at once. Focus on one day at a time, and things will naturally fall into place.

The Traditional Week and What’s Next

As for my usual week, it’s going to be two days on our customer site and three days at AFB.  It’s a nice change to go to different places. I’m looking forward to what’s next and to spending more time with the team.

So, that’s been my onboarding experience so far. It’s been very smooth, and everyone I’ve met has been amazing. I’m excited for what the future holds and grateful for such a warm welcome.