Q&A with Ventus Tan: Curiosity, coding, and career growth

From studying Aeronautical Engineering to a role in Technology at Macquarie, recent graduate Ventus Tan shares insights into his journey to supporting critical cloud platforms for our Commodities and Global Markets business in London.

What inspired you to pursue a career in finance at Macquarie?

I never imaged that studying Aeronautical Engineering at University would lead me to the world of finance and the Technology team at Macquarie. Yet, here I am, thriving in a role that combines technical skills, innovation, and collaboration – three key facets of my studies.

Coming from a non-traditional computer science background, I was initially apprehensive about applying for software engineering and technology roles. However, my perspective shifted after attending Macquarie’s Spring Insight Technology Programme. I realised from these early interactions, that many Macquarie employees don’t come from a computer science background either.

After completing Macquarie’s Spring Insight Technology and Summer Internship Programmes, I joined the organisation as a Technology graduate and now work in the Cloud Platform Team, which focuses on software and platform solutions for our Commodities and Global Markets (CGM) business.

What does a typical day look like?

I work in a global team with colleagues in our Sydney, Melbourne and Houston offices, and my day typically starts with a morning stand up. These daily team huddles are short check-ins where we share progress, identify any blockers and areas of focus for the day ahead. It supports collaboration across the team and means everyone is aligned, moving towards our sprint goal. I then go on to work on my deliverables for the day which could include anything from migrating apps to public cloud using the latest technology platforms, troubleshooting user issues accessing cloud platforms, and improving the software development lifecycle of existing services.

My role requires precision, collaboration, and constant innovation. Every day brings new opportunities to solve problems and contribute to something impactful that helps the business seize opportunities and deliver at scale.

How does Macquarie invest in your career? How are you encouraged?

In the ever-evolving tech landscape, especially with the rise of AI, staying curious and adaptable is crucial. In my team, we’re encouraged to dedicate Friday afternoons to learning new skills – whether technical or non-technical. For me, this has been an opportunity to dive deeper into system design, an area I’m particularly passionate about.

What’s possible for your career at Macquarie?

At Macquarie, we’re not just handed tasks – we’re empowered to iterate and improve the way things are currently done. More recently, my suggestions to improve existing processes were taken into account and I was given the opportunity to work on the development projects I am passionate about. One of the most exciting aspects of working here is the diversity of opportunities – whether that’s in your team, in another part of the business, or in another city. While I’m not planning to move teams anytime soon, it’s exciting to know that the possibilities are endless.

What advice would you have for students looking to pursue a career in finance?

Many people don’t know about the sheer variety of disciplines and sectors that you can work in at Macquarie – there really is something for everyone. I would encourage students to reach out to people working across our company and in the industry to gain the insights, that can then help you make an informed decision. For me, it’s been a journey of discovery, growth, and constant learning – and one I’m excited to continue.