Q&A with Elise Kapferer: Mentorship opportunities and career development through the Graduate Programme

Elise Kapferer joined Macquarie’s Graduate Programme in 2022, after completing a summer internship. She is now a Platform Engineer in the Corporate Operations Group. Her team works on development and troubleshooting for key internal infrastructure platforms and programs.

What inspired you to pursue a career in finance at Macquarie?

When I was looking for a graduate role, I prioritised company culture and availability of learning opportunities – both of which I knew were strengths at Macquarie from my summer internship with the company. The organisation’s empowering, bottom-up approach and accessible senior leadership team also aligned nicely with my career aspirations and values.

Macquarie’s commitment to diversity and community engagement appealed to me. There are so many initiatives to get involved in – including volunteering opportunities, events run by the Foundation, I could support the causes that matter most to me. I had the opportunity to give back with organisations such as the Social Mobility Foundation and WeSpeak, where I mentored students and helped them develop more confidence as they sought out future corporate roles.

What does a typical day look like for you?

As a Platform Engineer, my daily activities primarily revolve around developing platforms and applications with a strong focus on automation, alongside identifying and resolving any issues that arise within our platforms. My day typically begins by connecting with relevant stakeholders and my team to ensure we are all aligned on our projects. I also take an active role as a buddy for new graduates, guiding them through their technical onboarding process.

As a Platform Engineer, you need to be able to output quick solutions and troubleshoot even faster. It can be difficult at times, but I really like a technical challenge as it pushes me to think on my feet and constantly learn, while also improving my skills.

How does Macquarie invest in your career? How are you encouraged to invest in yourself?

Upon joining, I quickly realised that growth and support is a constant focus here. I have been part of three mentoring programmes provided by our Women in Technology and Fusion Employee Network Groups, where I’ve learned how to best position myself and have constructive career development conversations. These have been invaluable to me.

As a graduate, networking with coworkers across the globe who are aligned with your interests is also crucial to building a support system at work. I’ve got access to a great network in my day-to-day role and also with the broader graduate network too.

What’s possible for your career at Macquarie?

I am empowered to think creatively, act autonomously and explore new avenues to reach collective goals. This approach has significantly improved the quality of my work and allows me to grow day to day.

I have received this similar sense of empowerment through my involvement in employee network groups at Macquarie. These groups organise amazing events, including training sessions, opportunities to listen to fellow employees’ stories, and initiatives that invite other organisations into Macquarie for mutual learning. I joined Black Employees at Macquarie (BEAM) in 2022, through which I have engaged in many networking events, training sessions, and mentoring opportunities. Through BEAM, I have been able to participate in a career development programme, where I have networked with other Black employees and got certified as an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Practitioner.

What advice would you have for students looking to pursue a career in finance?

My advice is to attend as many industry-related events as possible and speak to individuals who are in roles you may find interesting. Make sure to build a good support system and network with individuals across the organisation too.

When familiarising myself with the skills I would need for the role, I noticed what interested me or challenged me, and used this as a guide. It is important to make sure that the career you pursue genuinely interests you – and you can be yourself when doing it.