Tech talent finds a welcome home at JT

How have you managed studying with working?

Last summer I was assigned to the Development Operations team which loved, they work with project planners, security, operations and customer experience to produce the very best end products. So, as I began my final year at Winchester University, asked the team if I could continue working on the project with them but remotely from Winchester, which they were happy for me to do.

Since then, I’ve been working on improving the functionality and customer journey of JT’s online shop. It’s been amazing to not only have the opportunity to do that kind of work but to have the trust of the team who encourage me to develop my own ideas, it’s something most people my age don’t get the chance to do. I’ve also worked on the JT website and the Guernsey Fibre signup page; that meant I had to get to grips with some new systems, but the end result means new customers have a much easier process when joining JT.

What’s been a highlight for you?

I’ve loved feeling part of a big team; even though I work remotely, I work with people across the Channel Islands, and even have some colleagues in Australia...

It’s been 12 years since...

• JT’s Apprenticeship, Graduateship and Bursary schemes began.

• 94% of participants accepted permanent roles within JT.

• Over that time the number of applications from young women has seen a significant increase.

• Today JT supports 13 apprentices, bursaries and graduates across the Channel Islands with 46% being female.

• Each participant is a valued team member, learning on the job, making a vital contribution to the future of connectivity and earning while they learn.

JT also supports students through:

Tech talent finds a welcome home at JT

By JT Group

21-year-old Riley Aslett is about to embark on JT’s graduate scheme, but she is no stranger to the local telecoms company. Born in Guernsey and a former Elizabeth College student, Riley has already benefitted from four years of support from JT, beginning as a Digital Intern through the Digital Greenhouse scheme.

Have you always been into computers and technology?

Yes, from an early age, even at primary school, I’d help the teachers out if they had a problem with their computer, by secondary school I was using singleboard computers and programming at home.

I’ve always loved making things; some of my favourite projects include re-designing an old- handheld gaming console and a cube of LED lights connected with wires which I programmed to light up in any way and sync to music. More recently, I’ve built a macro keyboard – I realised actually had everything I needed to make one, so I just had a go!

What made you take part in Digital Greenhouse’s Digital Internship?

My dad spotted the opportunity, and I thought it looked fun.

That first six weeks with JT was amazing. I got to do a little bit of everything, and soon realised that telecoms are about a lot more than connectivity. I worked in various areas from sales to network cabling to Cloud based products like Mitel; some of the work I did with the Cisco team back then is still in place now. Later at Uni I had to do a module on networking and having had first hand practical experience of this was invaluable to my studies.

Your internship was so successful with JT that they offered you a bursary; what did that involve, and how did it support you at university?

At the end of the 6-week scheme each intern had to give a presentation about their experience to an invited audience made up of local businesses from Guernsey’s digital sector. It was at this event that JT surprised

me with an offer of a bursary which included a grant and six weeks of paid work a year for the duration of my degree. I later discovered that JT created an additional bursary that year for me - It was such a boost for my self-confidence knowing that they believed in me and wanted to invest in my education.

Of course, having some financial support at Uni helps, particularly as the bursary is for three years, but getting more experience has been the best bit. For example, I’ve worked on structured cabling, network installations, website and app development - which means I now have a much broader understanding of the impact operational issues or time delays may have on the sales team or programme designers.

The work experience has benefited my studies and vice versa; I’ve learnt stuff at Uni that I’ve been able to apply at work, and being at JT has taught me to put my work into process language that anyone can easily understand.

Everyone at JT has been great - very inclusive and fully supportive of the gender transition am starting. It’s a company that places a huge emphasis on people, their wellbeing and personal development, and it’s something you see and feel from the top down.

I’ve had some superb mentors over the past 4 years. They’ve given me the chance to discover what it is enjoy doing and what I’m good at and gave me the time and space needed to prove myself, which has helped me with my own personal development and belief in myself - my imposter syndrome isn’t as bad as it used to be!

What’s next?

I’m about to become a full time JT employee, having been accepted onto the JT Grad Scheme, and whilst typically, the programme sees people rotate between different departments, I’ll be staying with DevOps but will still be experiencing all the other parts of the business through various projects. Working for JT means I can progress a career in tech but also stay in Guernsey, in a community where I have a strong support network for my gender transition.

What suggestions do you have for people thinking about a career in the digital industry?

Do everything you can, grab every opportunity – often, things are way more interesting than they might look on the surface. Get your foot in the door and just go for it, don’t let fear of the unknown or ‘what if’ stop you.

• The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship - the most esteemed scholarship of its type in the UK, designed to inspire students to pursue their dreams and change the world as an outstanding engineer of the future.

• LEAP Leadership and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme One of the world’s premier female leadership programmes, which helps to develop business, entrepreneurial and leadership skills through launching social enterprise projects to target key global issues.

• Digital Greenhouse Digital Internship which places students who are passionate about digital with some of Guernsey’s leading employers on their digital projects.

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We are always on the look out for our next JT superstar to help us deliver on our purpose of connecting people together. Recruiting the right people, nurturing new talent and ensuring JT is a great place to work for them, is at the very heart of our business strategy. We invest in the development of our people and are proud of our reputation as a fantastic place to learn, grow and build careers.

To learn more about careers with JT visit:

www.careers.jtglobal.com