Q&A with Hrant Boujikian: Embracing connection, community and continuous learning

Hrant joined the Graduate Program in 2025, having previously completed the Macquarie Summer Internship program. He completed a double bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney in Engineering and Commerce. Hrant is now a Business Analyst for the Digital, Data, Design and Engineering (D3E) Division in Banking and Financial Services (BFS).

What made you choose the Macquarie Graduate Program?

My experience as a Summer Intern gave me valuable insight into what a career at Macquarie could look like. With a background in mechatronic engineering and business analytics, I was drawn to the unique opportunity to work at the intersection of finance, technology, and strategy.

Macquarie’s Graduate Program stood out for its emphasis on development opportunities, broad exposure to different areas of the business, and a supportive learning environment. It offered an ideal platform to explore various career paths while learning from experts and contributing to tech-driven projects. The collaborative culture and the chance to build a strong network across the organisation were also key factors in my decision to join.

Walk us through a project you worked on.

SuperStream is a government-mandated protocol that standardises electronic communication for superannuation transactions, ensuring secure, accurate, and efficient data exchange between funds.

As part of the Superannuation engineering team, I worked on an initiative to ensure certain manually created messages also triggered essential follow-up responses. These responses are critical for regulatory compliance and seamless fund transfers. By collaborating with stakeholders, I developed a solution that ensured the messages met the required standards. This not only improved operational efficiency and reduced manual workload but also reinforced our compliance with industry regulations.

Throughout the project, my team was incredibly supportive, providing guidance and direction that helped me learn and grow.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Problem-solving is a constant in my day-to-day work. This often involves addressing technical requests from internal stakeholders, such as members of the Operations team. These interactions help me deepen my understanding of Macquarie’s systems, databases, and platforms, and more importantly, any pain points experienced by their users.

We work in an agile environment, so daily stand-up meetings keep the team aligned and foster a strong tech-driven culture within BFS.

I also dedicate time to continuous learning through the extensive resources available, including connecting with other graduates and team members to understand more about their roles and career journeys.

What are the standout values and practices that define Macquarie’s culture?

Macquarie empowers you to take ownership and be accountable from day one. I’ve been encouraged to step up, contribute, and drive outcomes, all with the support and trust of my team.

Ongoing growth is embedded in the experience through regular check-ins with my manager. These sessions help me review progress towards my goals, align my work with areas where I want to grow professionally, and explore opportunities across different domains.

Within BFS, there’s a strong focus on innovation, underpinned by the aspiration to be the #1 digital bank. The approach is guided by principles often associated with tech companies: customer obsession, continuous learning, adaptability, and scaling fast and smart. BFS drives its AI-first strategy both top-down through leadership vision and bottom-up through employee-led innovation. I recently completed the Google Generative AI Leader Certification supported by Macquarie BFS, which reflects this two-way approach and the culture of empowering everyone to shape Macquarie’s digital future together.

What are some ways Macquarie supports your personal interests or hobbies?

One of the things I value most about working at Macquarie is the strong encouragement to give back to the community. Whether it’s through hands-on volunteering or making dollar-matched donations to charitable causes, the opportunities to get involved are abundant. I regularly attend monthly meetups hosted by the Macquarie Group Foundation, where I learn about new initiatives and employee-led volunteering opportunities.

As an Initiative Lead in the Graduate Volunteer Network (GVN), I had the privilege of leading The Push-Up Challenge fundraiser in June. Together, we raised over $6,000 for mental health charities while encouraging a sense of wellbeing across Macquarie teams.

Macquarie also supports my passion for raising awareness and sharing lived experiences by creating space for meaningful conversations. Earlier in June, I participated in a panel for Refugee Week, where I shared part of my personal journey, including how my career at Macquarie began with an internship supported by CareerSeekers, an organisation that helps students from refugee backgrounds launch professional careers. This panel was part of a series of activities organised by the Refugee and Human Rights Community Champions.

How did the Graduate Program set you up for success?

The program is designed to give graduates both the freedom to explore and the guidance to grow. Learning happens through hands-on experience, formal training sessions, and the support of colleagues and managers.

I’ve been exposed to a wide range of business areas and ways of working, which has helped me develop not only technical and analytical skills but also a deeper understanding of how different parts of the business connect and operate.

The network I’ve built across the graduate cohort and beyond has been invaluable. It’s inspiring to work alongside motivated, curious people who are all growing and learning together.

Do you have any advice for incoming graduates?

Stay curious - there’s always something new to learn or explore at Macquarie. Be open to change and embrace the unexpected.

In a world increasingly driven by advancements in AI, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve. Many tasks in your day-to-day work can be augmented with AI, so keep an eye out for these opportunities and use the time savings to pursue further growth.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions or share your perspective. Macquarie follows a flat hierarchal structure, and you’ll find that people at all levels of seniority are supportive of individual growth and development.

Finally, make the most of the resources available to you. The more proactive you are, the more you’ll get out of the experience.