FDM Stories: Natalie Fleming

Since launching our Glasgow Academy in 2015, FDM has helped hundreds of people kick-start their careers.  Our Glasgow alumni network has grown significantly and many of our consultants have become permanent with our clients. Natalie Fleming joined FDM in 2016 and tells us about developing her career with FDM.

How did you hear about FDM?

A graduate recruiter reached out to me after seeing my CV on a job website when I was working as a Call Centre Advisor, and being honest – it just wasn’t the route I wanted to go down. I studied Media and Communication at Glasgow Caledonian and was already living in Glasgow, which was handy when I realised that there was an FDM Academy in the city centre.

How did you find your time at FDM?

My journey with FDM was really straightforward. I didn’t feel nervous or out of place when I joined the academy. I didn’t feel challenged in my previous role at the call centre so, I welcomed the idea of learning new skills which I wasn’t familiar with. I surprised myself how well I took on SQL and Excel as I worried the technical side of the course may be a bit too much.

Tell us about your placement at Barclays

I joined Barclays as a consultant from the FDM Glasgow Academy, and I am now a permanent employee. I work with client service technology; I gather app requirements and work with stakeholders to make sure client-facing colleagues have access to functionality that will allow them to provide customers with the best experience possible. I love my role because I can jump in-between projects and it’s always exciting. There was a large number of FDMers when I started on-site and around 30 to 40 of us went permanent which was fantastic.

When I first started my placement at Barclays I was worried that I wouldn’t feel part of the ‘Barclays work-force’ but all the managers were incredibly inclusive and got all of the FDM consultants involved in activities and volunteering days along with other Barclays employees, which was great fun and really helped us all settle into the workplace.

It’s crazy to think that I have completed my two years with FDM and that I am now a permanent employee with Barclays. I’ve had so many memorable moments with FDM, the best has to be taking part in the Balmoral Challenge for Walking with the Wounded. We climbed three Munro’s in one day and, despite the sore feet, it was such a great day being able to interact with my peers from Barclays and FDM, as well as raising money for a great charity.

When I left university I didn’t have a plan and FDM encouraged me to focus on what I was good at and how I could turn these skills into a career. I went on to work at a high profile bank and to become Consultant of the Month which was an incredible achievement. My advice to new graduates is to keep an open mind and be willing to take risks, because it paid off for me.

Keen to start a career in business or IT? FDM could be the next step you need.