After graduating from university, I was hit with a decision faced by all graduates, one to which only the lucky few know the answer; what's my next step? I'd graduated in Mathematical Economics and Statistics and I wanted my first job to be relevant to my degree. I wanted a job that would give me the opportunity to use and develop the skills I'd invested in. The only problem was that I didn't have a clear grasp of how my degree was directly applicable to a specific career.
When researching Deloitte I was attracted to the culture of Consulting and the firm itself. I decided to apply, and while completing the form was confronted with the list of competencies. Out of fear of selecting a competency that could mean the knowledge I'd acquired from my degree going redundant, I selected Actuarial & Pensions Services (APS).
In my first year in APS I worked on a number of small, technical actuarial engagements but spent most of my time on a larger, cross competency project. On this project, I worked with and got to know a team from Analytics within the Technology competency. I found the data architecture work they were doing a lot more interesting than the technical reviews I was used to, and compared to the smaller teams I'd worked in in APS, I enjoyed the culture of working in a larger team.
At the end of my first year I approached some of the contacts I'd made during my time working with Analytics, to discuss a possible move at the end of the 21 month Analyst Programme (the graduate scheme). They put me in contact with the head of Data Management (DM), who was very approachable and friendly. After an informal discussion, we were both keen on the move, and it became a simple HR process. I moved at the end of the 21 month programme, and joined DM as a Consultant.
Three months later I'm happily working on a Finance and IT transformation as part of another large, cross competency team. Taking a moment to reflect, the move has helped me realise two things.
The first is that I worried about the application of the academic knowledge I'd learned at university, and forgot about the other skills that university teaches you. Since moving to DM, my logical and analytical problem solving skills are being challenged daily.
The second is that the people at Deloitte care. APS, the competency who had hired and trained me, didn't stand in the way when they saw I would be happier elsewhere. Technology (and DM in particular), the competency who hired me knowing I had little experience, were helpful, friendly and supportive of the move and made the whole process remarkably easy.
Paul.
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