Johnny Beverton
Opening Doors with ServiceNow
Tech careers are no longer reserved for the few – ServiceNow’s RiseUp initiative is opening doors for everyone.
As the technology sector evolves at breakneck speed, so do the pathways into tech careers. With demand for skilled professionals skyrocketing, employers are rethinking how they discover and nurture talent. At the forefront of this shift is the ServiceNow RiseUp initiative – a programme redefining access to careers in the ServiceNow ecosystem.
In this edition of Empiric Insights, European Contract Director Andrew Manion sits down with three RiseUp alumni – Anna Brundan, Samantha Ogilvie, and Thaer Batal – to explore how the initiative is building the next generation of tech professionals.
Inside the ServiceNow RiseUp Programme
RiseUp, formerly known as NextGen, is designed to equip participants – regardless of previous experience – with the skills needed to thrive in ServiceNow roles. As Anna explains:
“The ServiceNow RiseUp programme is an intensive bootcamp, training you up from no tech experience in all the fundamentals and basics on ServiceNow, giving you those entry-level skills to join the ecosystem in a really wide variety of different jobs.”
Graduates emerge ready for roles such as Solution Consultants, Developers, Technical Specialists, and Business Analysts – demonstrating the programme’s broad impact.
What truly sets RiseUp apart is its accessibility. As Sam notes, “I didn’t even study IT as a GCSE,” highlighting how the programme welcomes those without traditional tech backgrounds.
Diversity Powering Progress: Enriching Lives and ServiceNow
The strength of RiseUp lies in the diversity of its participants, with each alumnus bringing a unique perspective and set of experiences.
“I’m from Syria.” Shares Thaer. “I found out about an organisation called Refugee Council, which is amazing. They help displaced people, connect them with employers, and sharpen their skills. The organisation had a partnership with [RiseUp]. It was here where I got to know about it.”
Anna transitioned from paramedic training and teaching classical piano to becoming a solution consultant at ServiceNow. "I didn't really discover the Rise Up programme, it discovered me.” She says. “I was pursuing my dream of becoming a paramedic but I became really unwell."
"I had to make a difficult decision to withdraw myself from university. I'd lost a lot of confidence. This is when I came across a wonderful charity named Astriid, who helped people find meaningful employment. Through them I received an email about RiseUp with ServiceNow. Joining the course opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking. It gave me a spark of hope when I was feeling lost.”
Comparing her paramedic training to her career now in ServiceNow, Anna says, “Diagnosing and coming up with solutions for problems as a paramedic is very similar to a solution consultant at ServiceNow. The only difference is you're looking at things through a technology lens.”
Sam previously ran a small business as a chiropractor. “While I was starting my business, it was the pandemic, that was a challenging time.” She began exploring different avenues and taking tech courses in her free time and soon discovered RiseUp “I saw an advert for a course that said ‘Get into future tech with ServiceNow and the Prince's Trust’. I put my email in, then one month later I was starting the programme.”
RiseUp demonstrates that a career in tech is open to everyone. By seeking people from all backgrounds, the initiative had the power to transform individual lives while enriching the ServiceNow ecosystem with the next generation of talent.
Career Growth: From Bootcamp to Industry Impact
The RiseUp programme is more than a training course – it’s a launchpad. Anna moved from RiseUp to a solution consultant role, completed the Solution Consultant Academy, and won a global award for her work. She now supports public sector clients, returning to her passion for helping others.
Sam has worked across three solution consulting teams and is now transitioning to a technical training role, where she’ll help others start their own journeys. She says, “The RiseUp programme opened so many doors to me in terms of learning opportunities, networking, and ultimately the role that I have today in ServiceNow.”
Advice for Aspiring ServiceNow Professionals
With ever increasing demand for skilled professionals on the platform, there’s always time to launch a tech career. “Get yourself on the ServiceNow ladder.” Says Thaer. “We are in a world really transforming, digitalising. Get yourself on the ServiceNow platform. Get aware of it."
Sam agrees “You have to be comfortable with the fact that you will never know every single piece of ServiceNow, but that's absolutely okay. What's important to know is where to go to find more information."
Anna says, “If you're looking for like a new direction, a new opportunity, be really open-minded to a career in technology."
A New Era for Tech Careers: Get Involved
The ServiceNow RiseUp initiative is opening doors for people from all backgrounds, empowering the next generation of tech professionals. With comprehensive training and a focus on transferable skills, RiseUp is bridging the talent gap and transforming lives.
Ready to start your own ServiceNow journey?
- Connect with Anna, Samantha, Thaer, and Andrew on LinkedIn
- Explore current ServiceNow job opportunities with Empiric and take the next step in your career
- Subscribe to Empiric Insights for more interviews, career advice, and industry updates
Specialist recruitment agencies like Empiric play a pivotal role in connecting ServiceNow talent with the right opportunities. By leveraging deep market knowledge through continually engaging with our talent pools and a tailored approach, we help ServiceNow professionals navigate the evolving talent landscape.
Our team supports candidates at every stage, from identifying suitable roles to preparing for interviews and negotiating offers, ensuring each individual finds the best fit for their skills and ambitions.
