How do you explain your job to your friends and family?

My office works on experience analytics and implementing CRM (customer relationship management) tools to enrich customer experience for various clients. I predominantly work with one our alliance partners - a leading customer experience software platform. I try to relate this to people’s lives, by explaining that we help to deliver and report on the survey feedback that the platform is able to collect from customers in relation to the different brands they interact with. I love that my job allows me to interact with people across the world! It’s very interesting to understand how different countries within the same organisation work.

What gets you excited about your industry?

As a data science graduate, the increasing integration of data analysis, machine learning and artificial intelligence in customer and experience analytics is very exciting for me. With businesses now focusing on intelligent experience engines to drive sales and build a market for themselves, there’s a lot of scope for growth and development in my area of interest.

When you joined, was there anything that surprised you about working here?

In my previous jobs, I had always felt the structure was quite rigid and unforgiving of the unpredictable events in life. Working at Deloitte has completely removed that anxiety. As long as I’m transparent, cooperative with my team and genuinely giving 100% of my energy during my working hours, it’s easy to be flexible and I can go to the appointments and events that I need to. My colleagues are very understanding and are more than happy to accommodate my needs, and the same applies to the rest of the team.

How do you explain your job to friends and family?

I usually use the term “Technology Consultant” to explain what I do. My go-to example is: “imagine if our local bakery wanted to stop storing all their data in a messy MS Excel sheet? An organisation with the right skills and knowledge, like Deloitte, could help them operate more efficiently”. I love that every project here is like having a new job. Whenever I feel my work even beginning to become repetitive, I know that a brand new opportunity with a completely different team is right around the corner. This is what keeps my work fresh, fun and exciting.

How do you explain your job to friends and family?

When I tell people I am training to be an actuary, they never understand what I do! Essentially, we are the people who work out how much insurance products should cost and how much money insurance companies should hold to be able to pay out all the claims that come to them. The beauty with actuarial consulting is that no week is the same, which keeps it interesting and means you are always learning. At Deloitte there are so many different projects going on the variety is never-ending.

How does Deloitte support your wellbeing?

I am amazed at the support offered by my team and I’ve had a very positive experience since joining. Everyone I work with is aware of how much studying is involved for my actuarial exams and they always ensure I log off at a reasonable time to help manage the balance between life, work, and study. In my team we have our own Wellbeing Working Group who keep you up to date with current wellbeing events, as well as working as a support network. Deloitte also gives all its employees free access to the ‘Headspace’ app which is full of meditation and workout activities.

Why did you join Deloitte and what advice would you give to other people applying?

I spoke to someone from Deloitte Consulting at a recruitment fair at my university, and they inspired me to search for graduate opportunities that very afternoon. The way they described their role was exciting and it seemed like the projects on offer were really varied. In terms of the application process, my advice would be not to overthink the online situational and behavioural tests. Just choose the answers you genuinely think are the best fit for you, rather than what you think you should say. If you’re asked to complete a video interview, I recommend finding a blank wall to film from, with no distractions from housemates, parents or pets!

How does Deloitte support your wellbeing?

Deloitte has a wellbeing app for work phones which gave me free access to Headspace, and there’s a wellbeing representative in each team to talk to, as well as your People Leader. I do feel supported and while I haven’t needed to use this service, it’s reassuring that there’s a confidential number you can call at any time if things are getting overwhelming.

How do you feel Deloitte supports an inclusive environment?

In my first week, we were encouraged to bring our full selves to work and I think this is only possible because Deloitte fosters an inclusive environment. I’m a member of the Deloitte Black Network and the Multicultural Network, and was able to put my academic background to use as a Lunch and Learn Lead for Black History Month. I found it really empowering that this role was able to be a form of practice development, because it made me feel like Deloitte valued these events as a core part of their culture.

Why did you decide to start your career with Deloitte Digital in Belfast?

I went to a disadvantaged school in the North-West of England, and I always felt like a career in technology could secure me a better future. Deloitte seemed to have a lot of opportunities to grow and develop your career, which appealed to me and I could pursue my passion for development. I chose to come to Belfast because it’s a completely different experience to where I grew up. I believe you can pick up a lot of new skills by exposing yourself to new situations and learning from different teams around the world.

How have you felt supported by your team?

We always have great fun together and when I started the role, I was made to feel that I could learn at a pace that was right for me. As well as getting support with my career, I have also been able to ask for help with personal situations. My father sadly passed away during the pandemic and everyone really helped me get through this sad and difficult period. I was able to travel to back to Hong Kong to see family and my team did absolutely everything they could to help.

What attracted you to a career in tech consulting?

I was fascinated by computers and videogames as a child and I’ve always loved finding out how things work. During my A-Levels I had the chance to work on a bookings database for my local hockey club, and it’s something I really enjoyed. It simulated what a client experience would be like in the real world, and it made me keen to follow a career in consulting. The idea of building something bespoke for a business that’s really worthwhile is what motivates me.

You started your role in lockdown, how did you adjust?

This is my first job since graduating from Queens University in Belfast, so I’d never worked in an office before. I was worried I would find it hard to work remotely but it’s been great. When I joined everything was already running very smoothly, and everyone in the team was extremely supportive. During my first week of the induction I was able to socialise online with other colleagues, and I immediately felt very welcome. Despite not being in an office it was a great introduction to the company.

Why did you join Deloitte and move to Belfast?

I started by searching the top graduate firms and Deloitte really stood out to me as a great employer. I’d heard about the culture, ethics and integrity of the firm, as well as the importance they place on work/life balance. When an opportunity came up to work in Belfast, I was really excited about the move. I’ve got family here and I’m able to visit my grandparents every weekend and help them out with jobs around the house. They love having me around.

What do you love about your job?

Some days it really doesn’t feel like work. There’s always something new and exciting to be doing. I feel like I’m solving fun puzzles every day. You get to work for many different clients on different projects and it always feels like they’re an extension of the team because we work together to achieve our goals. I also love the opportunities on offer at Deloitte. I’m keen to get further established in my role at the moment, but in the future I’d consider secondment opportunities.

Do you feel you are supported and encouraged to be yourself at work?

Absolutely. My managers create a very relaxed environment – I’m given appropriate time to complete tasks that are both thought provoking and challenging. I’m not deprived of tasks that are ‘too hard’ for me so I feel I’m encouraged to be myself. I’m also given ample support to help me complete my work. This is the best way to learn I think; I’m able to take the time I need to work through the more complex tasks, as well as ask for support if and when I need it.

My manager lets me know about diversity groups and events going on at Deloitte, as well as external conferences. He also sends me reading material so I can keep up to date with the world of DevOps - the area that I work in. I’m also being encouraged to give talks outside of Deloitte so I can develop my confidence with speaking. I have meetings about my objectives and goals once every two weeks which helps me keep on track. I also meet with a coach from Deloitte Digital which has helped me gain a different perspective on things.

It’s nice to be around like-minded people that embrace individuality. Deloitte is a really fun place to work and everyone is really supportive. I feel like I can be myself at work which is great!

Tell us a bit about working in Consulting Assets

We build software businesses, this is a newer way of delivering value to our clients. We don’t have client-specific projects, instead we design, build and run software products that multiple clients will use. As we’re innovating how Deloitte works and building software in an agile process, our culture is less corporate and more like a tech start up. The structure is quite flat in this department so it’s easy to go to each other for help if we need to. We have great access to more experience engineers which in turn enables us to learn from their experiences.

The best thing about working in my team is that they understand that I need time to learn and build a broad knowledge base. I’ve been able to do this by owning small technology automation projects that take a concept all the way from the idea to deploying it live to multiple teams. Equally, I still feel like I’m challenged at work and am given a good level of ownership and responsibility.

How did you find the application process? Any advice?

I thought it was going to be extremely daunting and I didn’t really think I’d make it. The best advice I can give anyone going into it is to just believe in yourself and that you are as good as anyone else. The application is designed so that Deloitte can learn a lot about you, your values and personality, rather than just looking at your grades and what uni you went to. Deloitte want to get to know the real you, so really use the application process as a chance to demonstrate who you are, share your aspirations and the positive impact you will bring to the table.

What’s the most innovative project you’ve worked on?

I think it’s my most recent project where we were developing a health, safety & wellbeing measurement strategy for a client that wanted to really take a step forward in the area. Measuring wellbeing is such an interesting topic which has been bubbling up the past 3 – 5 years, but as it is such a new area it can often be one that many businesses really get wrong. I’m a data analyst, so it was so exciting to be able to dive into the data and start identifying what actually influences an employee’s wellbeing, but also to be able to spot key indicators that will help prevent poor employee wellbeing. This will allow so many organisations to better manage it, identify the risks and, most importantly, help and support their employees.

What’s the best thing about working at Deloitte?

I’m extremely passionate about encouraging girls to think about careers in technology and about apprenticeships. My job here has enabled me to spread awareness about both. I enjoy participating in our women’s network too, an open space, where women from all areas of the firm can give advice, ask questions and share thoughts on things such as imposter syndrome and gender inequality within the workplace.

I also love the work socials. These are all online now due to the pandemic, of course, but during the Analyst Induction Programme, I met friends for life! We’re hoping to go on our second ski trip as soon as we can.

Tell us about your apprenticeship journey

I took an alternative route to get where I am today, and I wouldn’t change it. I first joined the Audit Delivery Centre in Cardiff, which was a great starting point for me. I was able to explore all my options and decide exactly where I wanted to be. After speaking to many people within the firm, I decided on Data and Technology. So I applied for the Analytics & Cognitive BrightStart scheme in London.

As a BrightStart there are so many opportunities to progress and learn new skills. Every two months, I spend a week at university, studying Digital and Technology Solutions. It’s an amazing opportunity to have a full time career and also pursue a degree that’s relevant to your role.

Since joining the firm, aged 18, I have grown immensely, both professionally and personally. I’ve been able to follow my passions, decide my career path, and ultimately grow in confidence. More firms should take on school leavers; it’s such a great way to learn about the world of work. I’m so glad I took the leap!

Do you feel you make a difference through your work?

I believe Deloitte really is trying to make a difference in the world. I’ve seen tangible positive outcomes from initiatives such as our Black Action Plan, five million futures programme, and green projects. I know I’ve personally made a difference too. My first project was for a housing association that provides affordable housing in the south east of England.

Is Deloitte diverse and inclusive?

There are a whole host of inclusion initiatives happening across our firm. I’m working as part of our Diversity and Inclusion team to create a sponsorship programme for female and minority ethnic colleagues, for example. I’ve also been involved in a listening session for our south Asian colleagues. We talked about brown expectations, cultural taboos and our true selves in a really authentic session. We were able to empathise with each other, based on our shared experiences, and one of the highlights for me was seeing the cross-cultural similarities of everyone.

What’s working from home been like?

When the pandemic hit, our managers were really quick to make sure we were all coping well, by introducing lots of virtual socials and ways to connect. Everyone is really friendly and willing to have a chat over a cup of coffee - or tea in my case. It’s also made it even easier to enjoy hobbies outside work. I dance ballroom and Latin at the weekends and evenings, and everyone is very respectful of our free time.

What do you do?

I work in Deloitte Digital, in the Customer and Marketing team. In simple terms, my job is going into a business as part of a team and helping that business improve the way it interacts with its customers. This could be anything from personalised marketing and improving self-service, through to introducing new channels of communication, or even changing the organisation’s structure.

Most of the work I do is in the education sector. One of the best things about delivering university projects is being surrounded by the customers on campus and getting to see first-hand the impact our projects have on them. We make a real difference in people’s lives.

What kind of projects do you get to work on?

My current project is at one of the country’s leading universities. We’re mid-way through an end-to-end customer journey, transforming the university operating model and implementing Salesforce. This is the largest project Deloitte has ever undertaken at a UK university. The head of customer services said this week that they’ve massively reduced first response times for student enquiries, from three days to just a few minutes – a huge improvement!

And beyond your day job?

Recently, I’ve become a keen gardener (mainly due to amount of time I’m spending at home during the pandemic). In more “normal” times, I enjoy boxing and playing squash.

What attracted you to Deloitte and what do you love about your job?

After finishing my degree in Belfast, I was looking for a role that would allow me to use the analytical skills I’d developed. Deloitte works with some interesting public sector clients and has opportunities for rapid career advancement. After joining I was promoted within two years. I love being at the forefront of public sector change. I’m from Belfast originally, and I’m interested in making the services here in Northern Ireland the best they possibly can be. Our team supports clients to use new technology to operate as efficiently as they can. Being involved in work that’s making a tangible difference is hugely motivating for me. I also enjoy being in a fast-paced environment where there’s always something new and different to be working on.

Why do you think other people should apply for a job in consulting?

Consulting is a people driven career so there’s always a chance to build new relationships and speak to others. I also think it’s a great choice for anyone who is coming out of academia and wants to continue building their critical thinking skills. I’m analytical and love problem solving, which makes it the ideal role for me. There’s never a dull moment!

How do you manage your work/life balance?

The work/life balance here at Deloitte is brilliant and despite being busy, I never feel overwhelmed. We have an open, transparent culture so I can always speak to someone if I feel as though work is piling up. I was a bit concerned about working from home during the pandemic because I’m a social person, but Deloitte made it easier. We had some great online socials, like cheese tasting, and we encouraged each other to spend time outdoors when we could. I felt as though support was in place and our mental health was looked after. Joining as a graduate I was worried I’d be expected to know everything straight away, but that wasn’t the case at all. Learning and development is valued at Deloitte, and there’s plenty of opportunities to develop and build your skills.

What attracted you to Deloitte?

When I was in school, I learned about Deloitte’s BrightStart Apprenticeship programme in Belfast. It sounded great and I was tempted to join straight away. At the last minute I decided to go to university, but I still knew I wanted to work here when I finished. The inclusive environment really appealed to me, as well as the opportunity to work with some exciting and well-known clients in a great city. I joined the team on my placement year in 2019, then came back as a fulltime employee this September.

What does your role involve?

When I was on my placement year, I was a back-end developer, which meant working ‘behind-the-scenes’. I really enjoyed knowing that I played an essential part in making things work effectively. In my new role I’m going to be working as a software developer on front-end products, which is very creative. It’s exciting because you work with lots of different types of technology and get a clear picture of what you’ve built, which I love. I’m hugely motivated by seeing the outcomes of my work, which is why this job is such a great fit me. I’m excited to get stuck in on new projects.

What made you want to pursue a career in tech and why would you recommend it to other women?

Growing up I had a huge passion for technology. I would stay up all night making PowerPoint presentations and I later ended up studying computer science. Through my experiences I learned to love problem solving, and my focus has always been trying to understand how things work or how to fix them. When I was young I didn’t know what careers might be possible for me, but I suspect my parents always knew my future lay in technology. There weren’t many women on my course at university. I feel as though some younger women don’t think technology is the kind of career they should pursue but that’s absolutely not the case. Deloitte is making an active effort to increase diversity in its technology teams, and there’s no better time to join. I’d love to see more women taking an active interest in tech. There are endless opportunities on offer and every day is new and different. It’s a really exciting place to be.