A Conversation with Anna Lipina, Commercial Analyst at Sage

For me, automation is everything. I’m all about building something once that can serve my team and others forever! A little while after I completed my graduate scheme at Sage, my love for technology pushed me in an extraordinary direction–pursuing a master’s degree in AI and Data Science. That decision was met with overwhelming support, not just from my immediate team, but from many others across the business.

From Finance and Economics to Tech

A few years ago, I was enrolled in a master’s program in computer science after earning my bachelor’s degree in finance and economics. I really enjoyed my degree, but I felt like I wanted to elevate it with a stronger focus on technology. However, right around that time, I was offered a graduate job at Sage; a tech company that had always been of interest to me. I ended up choosing the job over the master’s, and I’m so glad I did.

Working at Sage gave me the hands-on experience I needed to understand the tech industry and figure out where I truly wanted to go. Once I found my feet, I realised that my passion wasn’t in computer science as a whole but in artificial intelligence and data science. That realization came directly from my experience working here.

Taking the Leap into AI and Data Science

After a while, I decided it was time to pursue that passion, so I started looking into master's programs again. That’s when I found the master's degree apprenticeship in AI and Data Science, which Sage was able to sponsor through the apprenticeship levy. It was the perfect fit because I could continue working while studying which was a huge bonus.

It’s hard work, though; really hard work. Before I started, I had friends who were apprentices, and they warned me about how tough it is to balance work and school. They were right. I had no formal programming background, so I knew I’d have to start from scratch, which was intimidating.

With all these factors considered, I’d been thinking about the apprenticeship for about a year and a half, and then one day, I just woke up and decided, “This is it, I’m going to do it now.” With the support of my manager and Damian, the Director of the L&D program, I found the courage to take the leap. I even found a mentor through the Sage Talent Marketplace who had done the same apprenticeship, which was such a reassuring coincidence!

My Passion for Automation

I admit, I do have a bit of an obsession with automation. If I’m at a team dinner and someone brings up AI, they probably regret it immediately because I just don’t stop talking! Recently, I automated my team’s weekly report on our medium business products. Now, instead of spending time sifting through data, everything is fed live from Salesforce, and we can focus on the insights instead.

Bringing Value to My Team

I think I bring two main things to my team. First, I’m the person who often asks, “What information do we need to make this project successful?” Once we figure that out, I dive into the backend to automate whatever we need, like I did with the reporting system.

Second, I’m the person who tries to lift everyone’s spirits. I organize Sage Foundation Days, team dinners, and activities like Secret Santa. I’ve organised two or three Secret Santas so far, and I’ll definitely be doing another this year. For me, it’s important to build relationships and trust with my team, not just work together.

Resilience Through Experience

I think a lot of my drive comes from my past. Resilience is just built into my bloodstream. As a child, I moved between three countries and attended seven or eight different schools. When I first moved to Bulgaria, I didn’t speak the language and didn’t know anyone. It was a struggle, but I put in the effort to learn, make friends, and keep up with my studies.

Then I did it all over again when I moved to the UK on my own with just a suitcase. My parents always taught me that the greatest resource you can have is knowledge, and that mindset has stuck with me. I’ve always been hungry to learn more, whether it’s through reading, talking to people, or surrounding myself with those who are smarter than me to learn from them.

The Sage Environment

One of the things I love about Sage is that I’m surrounded by ambitious colleagues who are also constantly learning and pushing boundaries. Some are pursuing degrees or even developing their own businesses on the side. It’s such a motivating environment to be in, and it’s great that Sage encourages this kind of growth.

Life is about taking chances, and at Sage, we really live by that idea. If you, like me, know you’re destined for something bigger and want to be in an environment where you can unleash your potential, Sage is the place for you!