Consultant of the Month – June 2018

Each month, talented FDM consultants are recognised on-site for going above and beyond in their roles. Congratulations to the June Consultant of the Month winners! Could it be you next month?

Kwadwo Ashong (US)

Operation Analyst, TD Retail Bank

Rutgers University – New Brunswick:Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering

NJIT: Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering

After joining FDM’s New York Academy in March 2017, I was placed with TD Retail Bank where I am an Operation Analyst.   The team I work in is made up of 3 FDMers and together we are in charge of testing for new service system which has allowed me to develop my skills further. My colleagues have been supportive throughout my time here by enabling me grow within the company and providing me with advice when I have been stuck on a query. I am grateful for my fellow project co-workers as well because without them this would not be possible.

FDM’s culture is best described as professional and team-oriented. The trainers provide advice and guidance, while the trainees are always trying to help each other out. At FDM, I was able to learn all the new skills I needed for a career in business and meet great people along the way.

Jungmin Kim (CA)

Application Support Analyst, BMO

McMaster University: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

I started training at FDM in May 2016 and began my placement 3 months later at Bank of Montreal in August 2016. It has been a very good experience for me and I feel very lucky to be a valued member of the BMO team. Despite the challenging times, I have been able to grow and develop professional skills thanks to their supportive and welcoming environment.

I would like to thank everyone in FDM who provided me with opportunities and helped me to be placed in such an awesome team at BMO. I would also like to thank my mom for her tremendous effort and care she provided me as a single parent. Joining FDM was an opportunity that I could not pass up. I have always wanted a career in the IT field and FDM was the perfect platform that made starting a professional IT career much more attainable. The culture at FDM is very welcoming and supportive -everyone at FDM wants you to be successful. FDM provides more than enough opportunities for you to start your professional career.

Ken Wong (APAC)

Tech Risk Management Analyst, UBS

HKUST: Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Economics

In my final year of university, I found myself very interested in both IT and finance. When I received an offer from FDM, I knew it was the right choice to make. During my time in the academy, I went through practical and intensive IT training courses. Additionally, I made good friends that I still catch-up with regularly. At UBS, my job responsibilities are challenging but very rewarding. I work alongside my manager to oversee tech risk portfolios across 250+ apps under IB technology. Another highlight of my role is having the opportunity to work with five teams across the globe to prepare monthly risk reports for the UBS senior management team. I am excited to work with people around the world and learn from different scenarios every day. My manager is very supportive and truly cares about my experience at UBS,he invites me to events and provides me with a monthly career review. It is an honor to be selected as a Consultant of the Month winner, and it’s the best way to mark my first year at FDM.

Craig Bennet (UK)

Associate Engineer – Applications Operations, Department for Work and Pensions

I was in the army for eight years as an infantry soldier before I transitioned into the civilian workforce. I decided to join FDM after hearing about it through my Unit BCMO (Battalion Careers Officer) who informed me that they would help to find me a job in IT or business that would be perfect for me due to my injuries sustained in service.  I have now been with FDM for 10 months. The DWP team have welcomed me with open arms and have upskilled me greatly in our field of mobility. I have made so many great contacts in the process as well as some life-long friends. I would like to give a massive thank you to our team here; the MDM team are a great bunch from top to bottom. We all work together to produce a quality service to the users of our devices and are constantly improving the service with input from each other. They have helped me to develop and transition into the civilian workplace with a fair amount of ease. What I find best about FDM is the family culture and how everyone is approachable from the CEO down. There is support and assistance when required and the business model is fantastic. I would and have recommended FDM to friends that are leaving the service and hope to help some join FDM in the near future.

Jacob Smith-Longman (UK)

QA Tester, Department for Work and Pensions

Before I joined the FDM Ex-Forces Programme two years ago, I was in the Household Cavalry and served as part of the Lifeguard squadron. I started my time at DWP as a QA tester on the laptop refresh project, delivering Windows 10 to them. I then switched roles to the PC devices team where I have had the opportunity to do QA engineering for a Windows 10 project. FDM has given me the opportunity to develop and further my skills, and work alongside highly experienced individuals, from whom I have learned a lot. FDM offers exceptional training and employment stability, which is incredibly valuable for the ex-forces members as it doesn’t pigeon hole them.

Here’s what our clients have to say about this month’s winners:

Kwadwo has come into a brand new industry for him with limited background and shown the ability to build his business knowledge as well as his technical knowledge. He has gone above and beyond his day-to-day role by achieving the highest test completion percentage amongst our FDM testers, while assisting in additional work outside the immediate scope of his function. Kwadwo has also been able to navigate the source documentation as well as leverage our technology partners to gain an expertise on the new source model. He has shown that FDM is selective of the candidates they put forward to their clients, and that we are able to find great resources to leverage long term.

— Vice President, RRDW at TD Bank

Ken is playing the role of a risk officer at UBS and an integral part of the global risk team for capital markets. It’s hard to believe Ken has only been with us for less than four months as he has impressed me with his enthusiasm, intellect and hard work. As risk officer, Ken is responsible for keeping track of all risk related deliveries across our global portfolio and working with stakeholders across time zones in meticulously meeting deadlines. He has good analytical and technical skills as well as a thirst for knowing more. Ken works in a fast moving environment with organization changes happening in the last four months. That he has been able to contribute and thrive amongst these changes is a further testament to his ability.

–Service Product Manager, Global Risk Manager and APAC Portfolio Manager at UBS