Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Canva

There is plenty of flexibility when it comes to the exact time I can start and finish work on any given day as long as I deliver on my responsibilities and I am there when I need to be there.

We're making design and visual communication of all kinds truly accessible - from social media to prints to data visualisation. The product is inclusive by its very nature: it's not only about empowering everyone to design but also to collaborate seamlessly while on it. This strongly resonates with me as I personally got to know the product as a user first while working in the Third Sector.

So far I've been able to manage my work independently and suggest new ideas and courses of action no matter whom I'm working with each time. I don't expect my team lead to tell me what to do first and this is totally normal here.

We're always being supported and driven to explore what we want to improve in and change. We have fortnightly catchups, buddy systems, six-monthly reviews and team health checks. It's always clear what track you're on and where you're headed – and if you are interested in exploring a different area of the company, that's encouraged too with clear processes.

Everyone at Canva is taken seriously and hierarchy is kept flat – suggestions from interns are considered to the same level as those from more experienced staff and there's a culture of bouncing ideas off each other and supporting each other in finding the best possible solution. Everyone on my has a voice and is listened to, and if something is flagged as not working well, we make sure that it's improved.

Canva has an incredibly generous benefits program through budgets for wellbeing, personal and professional development and office setup. I can expense my therapy sessions and yoga classes and even get five extra days a year called flex leave to use for unforseen circumstances or to just take a breather. We also get extra days off for volunteering. You can really tell that Canva's values are being lived day to day.

Canva has a clear and compelling mission: to empower the world to design. But behind that it also has an aim to "do the most good possible" and the founders have walked the talk here, giving almost all their shares (a third of the company) to a charitable trust.

Canva's values are clearly communicated both internally and externally, and regularly referenced throughout the company's work – from big strategic decisions to Slackbots.

Internal communication at Canva is really strong – all big news is communicated to everyone via quarterly "season opener" events. And the founders, Mel, Cliff and Cam, are really open and down to earth.

Since joining the team, I have seen a lot of my colleagues across different departments progressing positively in their careers. It's not unusual to see interns seeking a career change, promoted to full-time employees a few months after joining the team, because their team leads recognise their great contribution. Or to see full-time employees, moving across other departments where their strengths are better suited. Or move up into management positions, to help support the ever-growing teams! This is definitely a place where your impact is seen and rewarded.

There are a lot of opportunities to showcase and celebrate people's hard work. On a personal level, we receive a budget that we can allocate to celebrating our colleagues or team successes. But on an organisational level, we also have meetings designed to reflect retrospectively on the past few weeks as well as celebrate great successes. As well as dedicated spaces where we show appreciation and give kudos to the team. It's so woven into the culture, that it's difficult not to participate in the celebration.

As you would expect, there are teams dedicated to employee happiness, and the company is very generous in supporting our wellbeing, not only by providing a personal budget dedicated to thriving but by creating policies that put people first. The leaders within the company are very progressive and there seems to be an understanding from the top-level, that the employees are also people with families and other needs outside work.

Everyone is lovely. People are super friendly and always willing to help others. There are many ways to connect with other people and have fun together (Canva clubs, team bonding activities, events, etc)

I'm from another country and I love having the opportunity to work remotely from abroad for up to 6 weeks. It's definitely a game-changer! Also, many people are now adapting their working hours to their lifestyle.

Vibe and Thrive allowance is one of my favourite perks at Canva. You get an annual budget to spend on your wellbeing, education, socials and/or home office set-up. The options are endless as not everyone's idea of vibe and thrive is the same :)

When I joined Canva, I was really pleasantly surprised by how much the other user researchers share with one another, from conversations around new tools and new methods to deep and considered exchanges on professional values. There is always someone to learn from, something to chat to about research, events to attend and article to read. I'm also really grateful for my "buddy" who has guided me and mentored me during my first few months at Canva.

As someone who has family abroad and lives far from the office, I'm really grateful to be able to choose when I can come into work. I really appreciate how much trust I am given in working from home or when visiting my family.

I really admire my other colleagues, from the engineers and designers to my other fellow user researchers, all inspire me every day to deliver the best work I can, while encouraging me in my progress and letting me learn from them.

Canva UK is an amazing place to work - you feel fully supported in every role, the company's values are great ones to strive towards and the employee perks are second to none. There is great scope for career progression, learning new skills and always an opportunity to think outside the box

From quarterly "Boshter" Awards, to a Kudos Slack channel great work is celebrated daily - everybody is so supportive of each other as well as the leadership team

A yearly allowance for anything which helps you to "Vibe and Thrive" from yoga lessons to a coffee machine! Mental Health is taken very seriously here