NextGen Spotlight - Alex Torrado

The ServiceNow NextGeneration programme goes a step further by making the world work better for as many people as possible, opening the doors for everyone to participate in the digital economy. Uniquely, NextGen is designed to help participants into employment.

Hello, I’m Alex, a recent NextGen graduate. I've been a Consultant Analyst at Unifii since the beginning of October 2022, based in their London office.

How did you become interested in working in the tech industry?

During my degree I learned how to script with Python, and created simple tools to improve the workflow in our group projects. I found this experience very rewarding and I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving, so I wanted to find a role that would allow me to continue developing these skills.

Is there anything in particular that drew you to ServiceNow?

ServiceNow is an extremely versatile platform with a multitude of ways to configure and customise an instance to a businesses’ particular needs. The platform is focused on its users and how they experience the platform and the ecosystem is built on collaboration. This is what ultimately attracted me to the software.

What was attractive to you about the NextGen scheme?

It was clear to me that the scheme was the perfect launchpad into a tech role, designed for people with little to no formal training in tech roles. It is free, remote based and very flexible, designed to work around whatever schedule you may have.

We were introduced to fundamental concepts and different areas of expertise and job roles, but ultimately we had a lot of ownership over our own learning and the direction we wanted to take it in. We were also given support with writing CVs and preparing for job interviews, which has always been something I've struggled with. The scheme also introduced me to many companies working with ServiceNow and set up speed hiring events with these companies, which is how I eventually got my job at Unifii.

Were you in a different industry previously? If so, how did Unifii support you with the transition to a career in tech?

Before Unifii my work experience consisted of part-time retail and bar jobs. I was quite nervous about transitioning into an office environment as I wasn't really sure what to expect. Everyone at Unifii has been very welcoming and approachable, people are always eager to help and I never feel like I'm asking stupid questions.

There’s also a lot of training available, led by extremely knowledgeable people -  I’m already leaning so much! Unifii’s training has even helped me to pass my CSA.

What has been the most exciting project you've worked on so far?

As a new hire, my time at Unifii so far has mostly been spent training and absorbing as much knowledge about ServiceNow and Unifii as possible.

During the NextGen scheme I personalised a Service Portal for an imaginary company. This really helped me to gain a better understanding of ServiceNow and was what first got me excited about working with the platform in the future.

How do you see yourself growing within the next few years?

I aim to continue growing my understanding of scripting in ServiceNow and work towards getting a CAD and developing my own ServiceNow apps. I would also love to eventually help train others as my colleagues are doing for me.

How would you describe Unifii in one word?

Nurturing - Unifii has a culture where colleagues look out for one another and work collaboratively to get the best results, and there are always opportunities to grow and develop your skills.