A day in the life of Arti Babber

We shine the spotlight on members of Team ai to learn more about their roles, what it’s like being part of the team, and what training and development opportunities ai offers. This month, we spoke to Arti Babber, one of ai’s Scrum Masters.

Tell us about your journey with ai and what made you choose this area of work?

After a two-year career break, I re-entered the professional world by joining AI as a Payments and Fraud Team Lead. With a background deeply rooted in application support and managing support teams, this role felt like a natural progression for me.

My previous experience had equipped me with a solid foundation in application support, and I had always thrived in leadership positions. I was eager to dive back into a familiar domain where I could leverage my skills and expertise.

Leading a team has always come naturally to me. I believe in fostering a collaborative environment where every team member feels valued and empowered. At AI, I found a workplace culture that resonated with my leadership style, making this seamless and rewarding.

From day one, I was impressed by the dedication and talent of the team. Together, we navigated the complexities of the payments and fraud landscape, continually striving to improve our processes and deliver a great service. The support and camaraderie within the team were instrumental in our collective success, and it reinforced my belief in the importance of strong leadership and teamwork.

Returning to work after a break can be daunting, but AI provided the perfect platform for me to reignite my career. The journey has been both challenging and fulfilling, and I look forward to continuing to lead, learn, and grow.

How has your role changed over the years at ai?

As I delved deeper into my role, I developed a keen interest in the project management space. The dynamic nature of project management intrigued me, and I began exploring opportunities to grow in this area. It was during this time that I came across an opening for a Scrum Master position within the company.

Despite having limited experience with Scrum and Agile methodologies, I decided to take the plunge. I applied for the role, eager to learn. Seven months into my journey as a Scrum Master, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Working with a hardworking, dedicated, and fun team has been an incredible experience. We’ve worked through Agile frameworks together, and their enthusiasm and commitment has contributed to my growth. Every day presents new challenges and learning opportunities, making this role both rewarding and fulfilling.

Transitioning from a Team Lead to a Scrum Master has not only expanded my professional skills but also deepened my appreciation for the collaborative and innovative culture. I’m excited to continue this journey and see where else this would lead.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A combination of caffeine and collaboration fuels my day. The day officially begins with our daily stand-up meeting. This is a crucial time for the Scrum team to come together, realign our priorities, and address any blockers that might be hindering progress. It’s a great opportunity to ensure everyone is on the same page and ready to tackle the day’s tasks.

Following the stand-up, we move on to the daily refinement session, led by our product owner. This session is key for refining our backlog items, clarifying requirements, and making sure we’re all set for upcoming sprints.

Once these initial meetings are done, I make myself available to the team for the rest of the day. Whether it’s helping with specific tasks, providing guidance, or simply being a sounding board for ideas, I’m there to support and help the team in any way I can. Each day is a blend of structured meetings and spontaneous problem-solving, making for an engaging and dynamic work environment.

What is your team like?

The team is fantastic, offering so much to learn from their diverse skills and experiences. On anchor days, we often have conversations about food, which is always a highlight for me!

How do you ensure you keep your training and knowledge up to date?

I recently had the privilege of completing my Certified Scrum Master (CSM) accreditation, a milestone that I’m incredibly proud of. From the outset, I was provided with the time and resources necessary to focus on my studies. My line manager was particularly supportive, ensuring that I had the flexibility to balance my work responsibilities with my learning commitments. This level of encouragement and understanding made a significant difference in my journey to accomplishing this goal.

In addition to the support from the team, I had access to invaluable resources like Pluralsight and our Learning Management System (LMS). These platforms offered a wealth of knowledge and training materials that helped me prepare for the CSM exam.

What’s the best part about your job?

One of the best parts of my job is the opportunity to learn new skills every single day. The daily learning and a supportive, fun team environment makes my role truly fulfilling. Expanding my professional skills but also sharing great moments with a fantastic group of people.

What’s your proudest moment at ai so far?

I can’t pick just one moment, but for me it was stepping out of my comfort zone and working on my confidence. It’s been a game-changer. I’m really proud of how much I’ve grown.

What do you enjoy most about working for ai?

What I enjoy most about working here is the awesome people I get to work with every day. The team is fantastic, and I’ve also made great friends in other departments. It’s the friendships and teamwork that make this job truly special.

How would you describe ai in 3 words?

Creative

Collaborative

Supportive