Internships
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Technical Infrastructure.
Hands-on experience.
A summer at Baillie Gifford could transform your IT career before it even starts.
The team
As an independent global investment management business, cutting-edge information systems underpin everything we do. That’s why we’re constantly investing in the development of our technical infrastructure – and in the team of professionals who bring that technology to life.
Nearly 30% of our employees work in technology roles, the majority of whom are based here in Edinburgh, so the people in our IS teams are at the heart of the business. We don’t believe in barriers either. Colleagues co-operate and collaborate across different teams and technical specialisms. We learn from each other, which makes for a stimulating, inspiring and enjoyable working environment.
The placement
On our 10 week paid placement, you’ll be immersed in our IT environment from the word go, doing real work and taking real responsibility as you get your hands on the latest technology and explore what’s emerging. You can look forward to being part of a refreshingly open, cooperative, and supportive team culture.
More than that though, the focus here is understanding how those new and exciting technologies can be applied to solve today’s business challenges. Some of the major vendors we work with are Microsoft, Cisco, Apple, Dell EMC, VMware, Palo Alto and Splunk. So yes, we’ll help you gain the kind of experience that will make your CV stand out from the crowd.
Your internship will start with some structured overviews to give you an introduction to our business. From there you'll be immersed in a team within the Technology and Service Delivery area. These teams focus on technical support and systems resiliency, as well as on longer-term IT strategy and project implementation. In addition to working collaboratively with teams across Infrastructure and Service Delivery and understanding the day-to-day work of the teams, you will be involved in a live, ongoing project and deliver work in support of its objectives.
Through all of this, you can look forward to training and guidance from colleagues, plus support from an experienced mentor.
Our requirements
In the penultimate year of your studies in an IT-related discipline, we know that you’ll already have lots of ideas about how technology can support business performance, and you’ll want to see that in action. You’re also keen to be part of an ambitious and experienced team who shares knowledge and encourages creative thinking.
So what else? We like people who quickly become part of our team and who enjoy taking on responsibility, under the guidance of a mentor, and developing their practical skills and commercial understanding.
We actively involve our placement students in the team from the very beginning. There’s lots of opportunities to learn and you’ll experience all the different aspects of technical infrastructure with us. You’ll also discover the wide range of career opportunities we offer here.
Your placement here within our IS team provides the important skills which employers value and will definitely support your future career choices.
“The culture at Baillie Gifford is real, not something that is only there on paper. Everyone, including the partners and directors, have been friendly and supportive.”
Application process
Stage one
Complete a short online application form and upload your CV. We will review your application to find out more about you and assess whether you have the ability, attributes and curiosity to take on our internship.
Stage two
If you are successful in the first stage, we will invite you for an interview with our Technical Infrastructure professionals. We will discuss the academic and life choices you have made so far, and also ask you to answer competency-based questions that assess your abilities and experience.
Stage three
The final stage will be an assessment centre with other applicants. This will include a second interview and a group exercise. You will also have the chance to speak informally to some previous interns and graduates.
Meet our People
Technical Infrastructure
Our People
Imad Alarechi
Technical Infrastructure Summer Placement 2021University of the West of Scotland, BSc Computer Networking
Because the Technical Infrastructure placement is rotation based, it’s given me the chance to work with several different teams in the department. This included the Workspace and Internal Platforms teams, as well as first- and second-line technical support, where I helped to provide a first-class trouble-shooting service to Baillie Gifford’s employees around the globe.
One of the learning opportunities that stood out for me was the Make Your Mark course, which was delivered to all the summer interns by a specialist coach. It was about managing your inner critic, the effect of body language, fight or flight responses in the workplace, and more. I found it an eye-opening experience, covering topics and skills I’ll carry with me for a long time.
I really enjoyed the variety of tasks and learning opportunities that were available from day one. I had the chance to complete a number of overviews on various technologies for the Infrastructure Service Delivery team and I also worked within the Internal Platforms team on identifying overallocated resources. And, when I was involved in the project with the Workspace team to help colleagues migrate from old laptops to newer ones, I was given responsibility for some of the migration myself.
Working at Ballie Gifford is not just about doing a job – it’s about developing your skills, building strong relationships with your colleagues and sharing your knowledge. I had the chance to work with amazing people who always made themselves available whenever I needed help. It can sound like a bit of a cliché, but meeting people across the business has been the highlight of my placement – everyone’s been so welcoming.
Technical Infrastructure
Our People
Sean McGowan
Completed a Technical Infrastructure Placement in August 2018 and joined the firm permanently in June 2019Glasgow Caledonian University, Networked Systems Engineering
In my third year at university, I visited Baillie Gifford’s Data Centre and was surprised by their networking set up. I had already completed a network-focused placement for a firm in Cheltenham, which I assumed would have state-of-the-art structure. However, they were only beginning to implement the networking architecture Baillie Gifford already used (and were about to upgrade). The technology here is already cutting-edge, but there is a constant push to optimise and improve existing business solutions.
It was clear early on that my role as a placement student would not hold me back from getting involved in any projects or opportunities available to full-time employees. For example, during my time on the Service Desk, there was an opportunity to work on a project to roll out Jamf, a mobile device management tool for Apple devices. When I volunteered to help with the project, I got kitted out with everything I needed, including a MacBook. I hadn’t used Apple before, so it was really motivating to know that my colleagues had put their trust in me. In addition, I had the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong to support the office there with a different project, which was a truly amazing opportunity for anyone, never mind a student!
At Baillie Gifford, it’s not just about the skills you have; it’s about your willingness to learn new ones too. You are constantly encouraged to think about how you can develop your strengths and overcome any weaknesses. For example, I’ve been on internal assertiveness courses, and during Baillie Gifford’s LearnFest week, I attended a leadership skills course and a visual thinking session. These have really changed how I behave professionally and given me a new level of confidence.
At the end of the summer, I was lucky enough to be offered a permanent position. The internship was a fair reflection of what it’s like to work here full-time. It’s a very open and inclusive workplace, where trainees are a valued part of the team. For example, since re-joining, I’ve been afforded the same level of opportunity as I was before.
Technical Infrastructure
Our People
Aidan Flood
Technical Infrastructure Placement Intern, 2019. Joined Technical Infrastructure Graduate Programme, 2020Glasgow Caledonian University, Digital Security, Forensics & Ethical Hacking
I found out about Baillie Gifford when some recent interns gave a presentation at my university. They spoke so passionately about how positive their experience at the company had been and explained how they had put their lab and theory work to practice in a real business environment. I was also able to join a student visit to Baillie Gifford’s Data Centre and was amazed that we had the opportunity to see their servers and how the technology behind the scenes worked. They made us feel really welcome, and I chatted with many of the department heads.
I was quite nervous when I started at Baillie Gifford, as I’ve not had much professional work experience before, but they take you under their wing. For example, during my induction I had a series of one-to-one meetings with the team managers across the Information Systems departments to help understand everyone’s roles. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in various projects of my own, including handling a server upgrade and taking responsibility for Zoom.
Since joining, one of my jobs has been to help set up equipment in a new area of the office, and I have also worked on a project to ensure the firm’s MacBooks remained compliant and functional within the business. I’ve been treated as any other staff member through my time here and given the responsibility and trust to take on important tasks. Along with this, the training and support I’ve received have been outstanding.
As I’ve moved through the placement rotations, everyone has made a real effort to make me feel part of the team. For example, in my first week with the firm, I was given a ticket to the TEDx conference in Glasgow. About 15 of us from across the department attended. I also went to the Service Desk away day, during which we discussed how improvements could be made to our service, took part in team-building exercises and completed an escape room. Spending time within different teams also allows you to build strong relationships across the department.
Towards the end of my placement, I had experienced many aspects of the Infrastructure department: first-line support, third-line support, maintenance and projects. I had enjoyed them all and built strong relationships within each area. So, when it came to the end of my time here, I didn’t want to leave and knew I wanted to continue my professional career at Baillie Gifford, luckily, I am now back as a graduate.
