Meet Chloe, a Group Technology Graduate at PTSB

Tell us about your current role and educational background?

My name is Chloe Mazhandu, and I am a Group Technology Grad with PTSB. I graduated from UCD with a BSc in Economics and Sociology. As part of the graduate programme, we partake in three rotations within Group Tech to familiarise ourselves with the wider Bank function. My first rotation was in Digital Innovation, and I am nearing the end of my second rotation as a Business Analyst and my final rotation is in Demand Portfolio Management. Having three rotations overall is great as it gives me the opportunity to have more of a well-rounded perspective of what the Bank is like and gives me more insight into which areas I prefer.

What have been some of your favourite projects that you’ve worked on since joining PTSB?

In my first rotation, I helped organise the Bank’s internal innovation competition which was extremely exciting as it was the biggest competition to date, having the most colleague participation and 120+ ideas submitted! This made it especially exciting when I and a few other graduates formed a team and ended up winning the Grad category after presenting in front of the CEO and ExCo! It was a fantastic opportunity as we met so many people across the Bank and even got mentored by the Head of Retail Distribution.

A highlight as a business analyst was being part of the largest app change which brought in new interface and functionalities for customers. It was such an exciting time to be involved in a project of this scale.

What does a typical day look like for you in your current rotation?

Everyday tends to be quite different but a typical day involves a stand-up call which is always a great start of the day as I receive clarity on my tasks and get any support I need. I’d then schedule workshops with stakeholders who are part of the projects currently assigned to me, setting aside time to respond to any emails and of course having my multiple cups of tea, that I can’t live without, and updating the project management board with any changes. I like to end every day with a to-do list for the next day to keep myself on track.

How as a woman would you describe working in a STEM career?

Working in a STEM career as a woman, I’ve discovered the importance of building my network and finding and creating spaces for myself. A few months into joining the Bank, I had the opportunity of joining the Bank’s Better Balance Mentoring Programme. This programme was organised by the Bank’s Employee Resource Group that is dedicated to Gender Balance and incorporates the Bank’s DEI Strategy. Having a mentor was instrumental as a woman who had freshly graduated entering the corporate world. It was an opportunity for personal growth as it helped me deal with imposter syndrome, self-confidence, and career planning and conflict resolution. Another positive development is our Women in Tech initiative that launched last year and as a woman in a STEM career, it is amazing having a space which is inclusive and a great support network.

Tell us about any interesting activities you participated in whilst working in PTSB?

Since joining the Bank, I’ve thrown myself into numerous activities as I wanted to get more involved in the culture of PTSB and expand my network. I volunteered to be the secretary of DICE, which is our employee led Diversity, Inclusion, Cultural and Ethnicity group that celebrates our colleagues from 65+ nationalities. Being a committee member has been rewarding as we have spread awareness, organised social activities and networking events and continuously thought of new ways of working. We organised an Intercultural Day where colleagues displayed their talents and shared their culture through clothing, music, dancing and food and I had the opportunity to read a poem. As a graduate, it’s been amazing getting involved in a variety of events and to name a few, I represented Group Tech in our work sports day where we had an Olympian coach and volunteered at our kids Christmas party as one of Santa’s helpers.

What is the number one skill students should develop if interested in pursuing a career in STEM?

One skill that I think is the most important to develop is continuous learning! I would recommend reaching out to someone who works in your field of interest as a lot of people would be delighted to help you out if you ask. It is essential to embrace learning and putting yourself out there and be open to learn more due to the rate of change.