Analyst Review

I am a Software Developer working in IT at an investment bank, specifically my team develops an application that handles the daily "realtime" and "snapshot" reporting of trading events and positions to external regulators as required by law. On a daily basis I am working to analyse, propose solutions for, and to implement business requirements relating to the maintenance and improvement of our application. Every day my team and I will meet to discuss our current body of work and to reach out with other parts of the business to deliver solutions.

While working at Nomura I have picked up all of my hard skills as a Software Developer - Prior to employment I had only ever written pseudo-code as part of a Computer Science AS-Level. This skill acquisition was achieved through self-directed learning on the job with guidance from my colleagues on specific pieces of work and the more niche software and tooling we work with. In terms of internal training at Nomura we are given access to a large library of soft-skill courses to use, as well as mandatory awareness training for some of the more important regulatory or company-culture relevant changes in our industry. Through QA Apprenticeships I was given a formal foundation in Java & object-oriented programming as well as SQL, beyond that QA equipped me with an insight into the state of the IT industry, the roles it contains, and the methodologies and standards typically used.

QA Apprenticeships have only improved in the time I've been with them, since first starting a programme in 2014 I have met many members of their staff all of which have struck a pleasing balance between the personal and professional - In particular the teaching staff that deliver courses are always a highlight for me; Good teachers make or break an educational programme. Nomura is a great place to work, I earnestly believe the company has a good set of people under its employ and it's by no coincidence. The offices, its amenities, and the work culture are all outstanding. Over time I have become more comfortable in my choice to pursue an Apprenticeship (as opposed to enrolling at a University) after my A-Levels, in the beginning it was hard to see how things would play out and whether it would be worth it in relative terms. Entering the workplace fresh out of school is intimidating and University has its own draws - But, with respect to my personal circumstances, I can say that if I knew what I know now when I had to make that decision I would pick an Apprenticeship with Nomura again without hesitation.

As someone with a frankly fairly cynical outlook and negative self-image I have sometimes struggled with accepting appreciation and recognition from others. It means a lot to me, then, that in the last year or so I feel more connected, appreciated, and valued by my team, company, and manager than ever before. All of this drives and gives me the confidence to improve myself out of ambition and passion rather than as a mere matter of course.

QA's Apprenticeship programme is delivered in a well-structured and robust manner, with plenty of opportunities for support and guidance throughout. It's very pleasing to feel like you're in an open dialogue with regards to your course that respects the circumstances of being a full-time worker, as I do with QA.

I have always felt comfortable reaching out for support from QA Apprenticeships.

I have always felt comfortable reaching out for support from Nomura.

I have to imagine Nomura places fairly high in regards to compensation - My personal and professional lifestyle is very well supported by my salary and has never been a point of concern.

Nomura has various internal communities and social and charitable events that are active year-round. The U.K. Nomura offices benefit from being in central London, naturally lending them great access to the surrounding city culture and opportunities.

Yes

Nomura is a great employer and this is reflected in the great people that work there. In comfortability of working conditions, company culture, location, compensation, and opportunities for advancement and pursuing a genuine career I cannot fault and in fact extol Nomura.

I would advise people applying to Nomura to not be intimidated and to not feel the need to hide behind a purely professional veneer. While "be yourself" is cliche I think the heart of the sentiment rings true; Be genuine, be (politely) passionate, care about what you do - whatever that may be.