By Brent Carr, Director, Systems Services and Support
I can still remember thinking to myself “do I belong here?” as I prepared to start my technology internship at Fidelity in 2007. After all, I went to school for Business Administration and Computer Information Systems – what could a financial services firm offer me? What could I offer them? Following a challenging three months of IT project work, I knew I had made the right choice.
Now, thirteen years into my technology career at Fidelity, I have never been surer that this is where I was meant to be all along. My career has taken me from working on the helpdesk team that supports Fidelity’s Equity Trading desk, to eventually leading the team. Most recently as of this year, I’m proud to say I now manage the team as well, along with two other teams of extremely talented and devoted technologists – one that supports Fidelity’s Equity and High Income Portfolio Managers and Analysts, and another that supports the complex technology infrastructure that keeps these trading systems operational. To say I am humbled to be in this position would be an understatement!
Working at Fidelity has offered me so many amazing opportunities. I’ve traveled to London to support the opening of a new site. I’ve been able to work with cutting edge technology. And I’ve been able to learn, grow, and be challenged constantly. Most recently, I was able to take advantage of Fidelity’s generous tuition reimbursement benefit to obtain an MBA for very little money out of pocket. While this last opinion might be subjective, I can truly and honestly say that I am fortunate to work alongside some of the smartest people I know daily. From the members of the teams I manage, to the business users we support, to the software developers we collaborate with and everyone in between, everyone is always at the top of their game and ready to give 110%. It is completely energizing and awe inspiring.
I’ve always appreciated Fidelity’s culture as well; everyone is empowered to be a leader, no matter what their title is. No one is seen as better than anyone else. The opinions of interns are just as valued as senior vice presidents. I’ve lost count of the number of times over the years I’ve asked a senior leader for a few moments of their time and they have agreed without hesitation or taken my suggestions into advisement. This is the type of company where everyone truly wants to help each other succeed.
While Fidelity might not be the first choice for anyone pursuing a career in technology – I speak from experience: you would be doing yourself a disservice by not taking a chance like I did so many years ago.
