Hi! My name is Julia Puistonen and I’m a Software Engineer Associate for Ignition, Scotiabank's Technology New Graduate Development Program. I love board games, being crafty, and can never turn down the challenge of a logic puzzle. I recently graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and have been fortunate enough to launch my career at Scotiabank despite being in the middle of a pandemic.
When I started my undergrad, I never imagined I would work in the banking industry. I studied physics and computing in university, and while I knew I loved to solve problems and work with people, I didn’t know what career I wanted to pursue.
I first considered joining Scotiabank after attending an all-female hackathon. There I was drawn to Scotiabank’s recruitment booth by the lure of a logic puzzle competition. I stayed there round after round, and that’s where I first learned about the Ignition program.
As a new graduate trying to figure out what career path best suits my interests and skill set, Ignition is the perfect program for me. Throughout the 24-month program, I’m able to rotate through different positions across technology. This allows me to not only try out various roles and find the best fit but also gives me exposure to the Bank’s many business lines, and the impact technology has on these spaces. Through Ignition, I also have access to a curated learning curriculum that’s been designed to grow my skills as a leader while providing flexibility to develop the technical skills of my choice. With a structured mentorship program, I’m also able to receive coaching and build connections with senior leaders in the bank.
In the short term, my goal is to gain a diverse set of skills and experiences by taking on different roles across the bank. Long term… look out, Brian Porter! Kidding of course, but I have always loved to lead and I’m excited that this program is designed to develop us as future leaders in technology.
One piece of advice that I have for students is to not stress about knowing exactly what career you want out of school! Instead, figure out what you are passionate about and what excites you. The rest will come!
Want to learn more about the Ignition Program and how you can become a future leader in the Technology Space? Click here.
Make sure to also check out our Campus Events page to virtually meet our Ignition team!
