Name: Syed Sajjad Hyder
Business Area: Graduate Customer
Support Engineer
Degree: MSc. Data Communication
Systems
University: Brunel
Start date: September 2008
Why Ericsson?
After completing my MSc. in Data Communication
Systems, I started to apply to different
telecommunication companies. Having researched
various organisations, I was fascinated with the
diverse range of technical and non-technical opportunities
available to graduates at Ericsson. The
Ericsson Graduate Scheme takes a comprehensive
approach to the development of your technical,
business and soft skills, and provides an extensive
training programme. This clearly showed me that
it was the best graduate scheme in the UK. My
aim was to have a dream career start, and having
a technical background I wanted to join a big and
reputable company. Ericsson was on the top of
my list; a company that could provide me with
everything that I wanted.
So what's the Ericsson Graduate Programme
actually like?
The Ericsson Graduate Programme lasts for 18
months, which has provided me with enough time
to develop the required competence needed to
excel in my newly acquired role. The scheme starts
with an induction week which enabled me to listen
to and interact with Senior Management from
across the business; whilst providing an invaluable
opportunity to network with the other recruited
graduates, both old and new.
The first six months of my Graduate Scheme
included a bi-weekly rotation programme that has
enabled me to understand the interaction between
different teams and departments, whilst creating a
network of contacts. I now have a detailed understanding
of my department, its work practices and
procedures, which has helped me to evolve a big
picture view of the business; and importantly, to
understand how I can contribute to its overall success.
During the final phases of the scheme I am
now being introduced to the different technical areas
and the diverse roles available to me as part of
my ongoing training and development programme.
Technical training courses, business briefings and
soft skills development are the highlights of the
18 month long scheme. A combination that gives
me good exposure, confidence coupled with an
increased competence so that I can be a productive
and highly effective member of the team.
What surprised you the most?
The working environment in Ericsson is open and
relaxed which helps me to achieve my full potential.
It also encourages me to take the initiative and to be
pro-active in achieving deadlines. One of the most
amazing things about working at Ericsson is the
encouragement I receive from senior colleagues to get
work done.
As a result, I put more effort into achieving a target.
My hard work is appreciated and recognised in different
ways, from being a recent recipient of an ‘On
the Spot' Award (an award that recognises exceptional
initiative, creativity and customer-first commitment
to customer satisfaction) to receiving ‘Applause
Certificates' in team and customer meetings.
Teamwork based on mutual understanding is a key
cultural value at Ericsson. As a graduate, I am able
to call on the support of individuals within teams
inside and outside of my department, as well as
colleagues from around the globe to help build my
technical competence. As soon as I became a part of
the Packet Core Team, I was quickly made aware
that there is someone who I can call on when I need
help. Another great aspect of working for Ericsson
are the travel opportunities around the world.
Ericsson focuses on building employees technical
skills and capabilities by providing access to
different projects, stretch assignments and training
courses, both within the UK and overseas.
How have you developed?
As part of my training and development plan
I have attended a variety of courses in General
Packet Radio Services (GPRS), and now work
on client projects that enable me to gain hands
on experience through the handling of ‘real time
issues'. In additional to this, Ericsson provide a
multitude of both technical and non-technical elearning
courses; a number of which I have found
extremely useful to help me settle into my role.
The soft skills training courses included within the
Graduate Scheme are thought provoking and have
helped me to adjust to my workload, increased
my problem solving capabilities whilst enabling
me to evolve a confident communication style
when talking with customers. Frequent business
briefings are given on the working relationship
between technical and non-technical business areas,
and highlight the importance of my technical role
and understanding of working within a revenue
generating environment. I have taken full advantage
of the Ericsson Graduate Mentor Scheme. This
scheme has provided me with a forum to discuss
and seek guidance on issues which are outside the
scope of my immediate team, whilst working in
parallel on my career plan.
What does the future hold?
I see my future with Ericsson being full of
diverse and global opportunities. A springboard
that when combined with meeting
people who inspire me, will help me to
pursue both my medium and long term
career goals.
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