Thomas P.
About me
| Thomas P. | |
| Language and Linguistic Science | |
| Linguistics & Forensic Speech Science | |
| Taught Postgraduate | |
| Goodricke | |
| 2011 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Manager - Risk Advisory | |
| Deloitte LLP | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Finance and consultancy | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2015 |
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A day in the life of a Manager - Risk Advisory in the United Kingdom
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
Deloitte are a multinational accounting and management consultancy firm, with staff based across the globe providing a broad range of audit, accounting and consulting services to clients in multiple sectors and industries.
What do you do?
My role as a manager in Deloitte UK’s Risk Advisory business is to provide advice to our clients in matters of operational and financial risk. This can include mapping their business processes, helping them to define and implement ways of controlling risks to their business and also identifying risks to their business.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
While not directly connected to my chosen subject, I think the analytical approach and the attention to detail required for my course in Linguistics complemented my current career path well. It presents a regular opportunity for critical thinking and a need to quickly digest and understand information to which you’ve never been previously exposed, also something I enjoyed about my course.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
My current role is completely different to where I thought I would be post-graduation but I’m very happy with the way it’s worked out. The main thing I’d say to any new graduate or someone close to graduation is that if you don’t have a plan, or your plan doesn’t come to fruition, there are always multiple options open to you and some may well surprise you as to how good a fit they are to your career aspirations.
Describe your most memorable day at work
I couldn’t name one particular day that sticks out as the most memorable in my career thus far. My work grants me some incredible opportunities both in the clients and industries I am exposed to and also the travel open to those who want it. So far it’s seen me work with some of the largest companies in the world and taken me to four continents.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
As with any job there are challenges, we often have to gain a comprehensive understanding of businesses to which we have not previously been exposed in order to be able to do our work and that’s definitely a challenge but it can also be a very rewarding one. Coming into our business it can often feel like you’ll never pick up or retain all the knowledge you’ll need to succeed, but it’s very much a journey to learn everything and there’s a strong team behind you with shared experience to help you develop.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I was a member of the MMA society as both social secretary and temporary chair, where organisational skills were essential and of course transferable to any career. I was also a Nightline volunteer and college tutor which taught me skills which prove invaluable when working with others, handling high pressure situations and being empathetic with work colleagues to ensure my team’s needs are met as well as our client’s.
What would you like to do next with your career?
My mid-term goals are to continue in my current role and work towards promotion to more senior management. In both our firm and our industry there is a well defined process for career development which is helpful when defining your own career path.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
My advice would be to do as much research as you can on any role you are interested in, to have a clear idea of the pros and cons and to be able to make an informed decision on whether it’s right for you. I would also say to those who are still uncertain on what career path they wish to follow, don’t worry about being unsure take opportunities that present themselves to you and don’t panic if they turn out to be wrong for you. Any work experience is positive as it will help steer your towards what you enjoy and are passionate about.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
General queries about job applications, interviews, job hunting. Specific queries about management consulting and careers in finance/accounting services.
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