Your Future Career - Q1 2023

WRITTEN BY Claudia Jaksch Chief Executive, Policy Connect

WRITTEN BY Professor Siobhan Neary Professor of Career Development Practice, Head of the International Centre for Guidance Studies and Fellow of the Career Development Institute

Career guidance can enable workers to adapt to changing labour demands

The Covid-19 pandemic brought into sudden and sharp focus the impact that a world in constant change will continue to have on the way we live and work.

Current challenges for England’s workforce and career trajectories include the reduction in the EU migrant workforce as a result of Brexit. Young people and adults in the UK need to move into jobs in sectors which used to be supported by a strong cohort of migrant workers, such as agriculture and health and social care.

Expanding skills to address challenges

Sectors such as construction and engineering have persistent, longterm skills and workforce gaps; and automation is set to impact the global economy in ways that will affect millions of people, possibly causing them to need to change jobs or gain new skills.

Additionally, the climate crisis presents the greatest challenge, including our ideas about how society, the economy and the labour market should work. An adequate global response will require billions in funding and significant changes to how we reconceptualise our careers to effectively navigate learning and skills which will help us thrive within an evolving world of work.

Providing access to career guidance

In 2021, Policy Connect undertook and published research on England’s careers information, advice and guidance system. It found that, to meet the challenges arising from this continuous change, the system needs to become a truly all-age national service, where all the constituent

How to inspire more young girls and women into STEM careers

WRITTEN BY Nicola Brittain Chief Editor, WISE

Balancing the pipeline into STEM subjects is a focus for all organisations looking for more diversity in their STEM workforce, but recent statistics show that addressing disparities in further education will be a mammoth task.

parts work together coherently without gaps or unhelpful overlap. This means professionally delivered career information with advice and guidance which is well-informed by the local labour market, well-advertised and easy-to-access and suits people with a range of needs and preferences.

To support this, the Career Development Policy Group (CDPG) argues that everyone in England should have access to lifelong career guidance. Guidance helps people manage their life, learning and work and can unleash people’s potential — bringing enormous benefits to the economy by addressing our current skills shortage.

Flexibility in the labour market Once individuals leave education, they often do not know where or how to access career support. However, people need guidance on career development and support for career change throughout their working life if we are to realise a truly dynamic labour market and enable people to re-skill as new areas of the economy emerge and different skills are required.

Where career guidance operates well, it supports the effective functioning of labour markets and skills alignment, bringing economic and social benefits. Policy Connect and CDPG are working together to help create a vision for how to develop a skills system fit for 2030, underpinned by career guidance.

Data released by Engineering UK shows that we would need a jaw-dropping 115,000 more girls to study maths or physics at A-Level for them to match the number of male students studying engineering and technology degrees.

Awareness of options

Only 8% of female students who took maths or engineering went on to pursue engineering and technology degrees. We must address this disparity to ensure our technology and engineering sectors are innovative, representative and globally competitive.

There is work to be done at two key points in the pipeline. First, girls need to be made aware that a career in science is an option for them before they choose their GCSEs at 14.

WISE’s ‘My Skills

My Life’ outreach programme can help. It shows girls of secondary school age the types of careers that might suit them according to their personality type, then introduces them to female role models in similar careers.

This programme inspires girls to study STEM subjects since it shows the types of roles available and that they are rewarding, satisfying and often well-paid. Women role models are hugely important for girls at this age.

Changing perceptions

The second piece of work is outreach to further education colleges since there is a huge difference in the A-level to degree conversion rate between young men and women (23% of male students who studied maths or physics — or both — went on to study engineering and technology in higher education compared with just 8% of women).

At this point, young women are interested in the subjects but do not pursue a career using them. Reports show that it is, again, because of the perception of STEM careers being better suited to men.

Involving young women

We should change these stereotypes, and many WISE members are helping colleges to make their work appealing to young women. They must ensure that women role models are involved, that the work seeks to solve a societal or community problem and that any marketing material shows a diverse workforce. Similarly, teenage girls might be encouraged to participate in short programmes such as those offered by the Smallpiece Trust. These subsidised programmes provide insight into aerospace engineering, structural engineering and more — and can create enthusiasm for a STEM career.

For more on WISE, visit wisecampaign.org.uk/ Smallpiece Trust’s courses can be found here: smallpeicetrust.org.uk/

Only 8% of female students who took maths or engineering went on to pursue engineering and technology degrees.

People need guidance on career development and support for career change throughout their working life if we are to realise a truly dynamic labour market.

Inspiring more girls and young people to start a career in construction

Sharing her love for construction and her daily jobs as a digger operator, Amy Underwood (AKA ‘The Digger Girl’) has reached and inspired many young people on social media.

Underwood, mum of two, originally wanted to train as a mechanic. Now, the 28-year-old continues to enjoy working on roads, house sites and construction projects as a plant and HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicles) operator at her father’s firm.

Passion for construction

When Underwood first started looking for mechanic roles, she couldn’t land any opportunities. “I went around all the garages in Oban, but no one would take me on. My dad said: ‘You can work with me until you find something you want to do.’ And I never found anything else I wanted to do more.”

a future

In 2012, she embarked on a plant operator apprenticeship with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to obtain her machine licence. Then, in 2019, she started her ‘The Digger Girl’ social media accounts to share her jobs and machinery with people with similar interests. Now, she is a role model to many young people and has received several awards. Hyundai Construction Equipment is the latest firm to recruit her as a machine reviewer and brand ambassador. She is recognised as one of the UK’s top 100 women in construction by the National Federation of Builders.

Women as builders

Underwood is motivated to continue using her social media platforms to end the stigma of female builders and encourage more girls to join the construction industry.

She admits: “When I was growing up, I had no other females in construction to look up to. There was no one on social media to contact.”

“Two wee girls came up to me to say they’ve seen my videos, and when I asked what they want to be when they’re older, they replied: ‘a digger driver!’ When I was younger, there was never that — I never saw any women driving diggers,” she adds.

Industry skills gap

The National Construction College, owned by CITB, has partnered with Underwood as she promotes the advantages of a construction apprenticeship. She observes a skills gap in the industry, with fewer people interested in a construction career.

“It’s not just women. We are trying to get more young people into the industry. There is a lack of young people in general coming through.”

Although there is still a long way to go, Underwood believes society is headed in the right direction as she finds more girls and young people looking for advice on how to get experience. Her advice to people interested in a career within construction is ‘go for it.’

INTERVIEW WITH Amy Underwood Machine Operator and Content Creator, The Digger Girl Limited

WRITTEN BY Angelica O’Toole

WRITTEN BY Kelly Nicholls CEO, TechSkills

Apprenticeships grow as people find a better way to start a career in tech

With a growing number of young people worried about the financial impact Higher Education will have on them long-term, many are looking for alternative routes into careers that will allow them to ‘earn and learn.’

The Government’s Apprenticeship Levy is a tax on employers with a wage bill of over £3 million per year, allowing businesses to reinvest back into their workforce in the form of apprenticeship training while allowing the apprentice to study fee-free. With financial pressures growing on everybody, it is no surprise that apprenticeships saw an 8.6% increase in learners in the 2021–22 academic year.

Growing career opportunities in tech

In the tech sector, in particular, big employers such as Amazon, BT, TCS and IBM are partnering with TechSkills as they look to plug the digital skills gap in the UK. From cyber security to game design, there are so many exciting roles within tech — but not enough people with the right skills to fill them.

TechSkills is employer-led and not-for-profit. They accredit learning pathways — including apprenticeships, degrees and shorter training programmes — that are designed to give employers access to talent.

Anyone can have a

career in tech

If we are to address the skills gap this country faces, we must ensure that a career in tech is open to everyone, regardless of background, race or gender. The underrepresentation of women is stark, with just 19% of tech workers in the UK identifying as women, and only 22% of tech Directors, according to a report by Tech Nation. Diversity and inclusion are paramount — not just because it’s right, but because it also allows companies to foster a creative and diverse group of talent that will develop and create new and innovative ideas.

Find a career in tech that suits you

To encourage people from all backgrounds to explore a career in tech, we have developed a Careers Toolkit so that all young people can explore the types of roles that might suit their personality type and interests — and learn how to get there.

The world of tech presents a huge opportunity, and TechSkills can help ensure that every individual can benefit and every organisation can flourish with the talent it needs.

Know where, when and how to find the right apprenticeship for you

What

When it comes to apprenticeships, researching the options might feel complex. Although some of the core elements of apprenticeships remain the same, such as what an apprenticeship is and the available levels, there are also a lot of variables that need to be factored in.

The job roles

WRITTEN BY Anna Morrison CBE Director, Amazing Apprenticeships

There are more than 600 different apprenticeship standards covering nearly 2,000 different job roles. Each apprenticeship role will be different, with employers designing the job roles that they need for their businesses.

The job title

The job roles themselves will have different titles that are decided by the employer. Some might sound obvious, –some might sound more obscure. Try not to let this put you off, and always take a look at the role description too before ruling it out.

The employers

Employers of all sizes from every corner of the country offer apprenticeships, so there are many vacancies to look through and companies to compare. Although it might be

tempting to look at the big names that feel more familiar, there are thousands of fantastic vacancies with smaller employers too.

The terms and conditions

Employers can set their own terms and conditions. They will decide what to pay (as long as it meets the minimum wage for apprentices), and they will decide on the holiday and any extras that you may be entitled to receive.

When and where they are advertised

Knowing where to look and when to apply is one of the biggest tasks you will need to consider. Apprenticeships could be advertised on the Government website ‘Find an Apprenticeship,’ through jobs sites and also on the employer’s own website.

Considering apprenticeships is not a ‘once in a lifetime’ decision. Apprenticeships can be a great choice for those leaving school or college but are also a brilliant option for later in your career as a way to increase your skills or even re-train for a new career. Apprenticeships can be started at any age, so my key piece of advice: keep your options open.

If we are to address the skills gap this country faces, we must ensure that a career in tech is open to everyone, regardless of background, race or gender.

Knowing where to look and when to apply is one of the biggest tasks you will need to consider.

How many hats can one person wear working in the aerospace sector?

It is the diversity of opportunity within the aerospace sector that has seen Jacqui Chan carve out a varied career path with the company over more than two decades.

When Jacqui left university with a chemical engineering degree, she never envisaged working for an aerospace company - more than 20 years on, she’s still enjoying a varied career with Airbus.

Key to that job satisfaction is working in an environment that offers the opportunity to change direction every so often.

“I have the stability of having the same pay slip every month but knowing that my job description changes every few years,” says Chan, now 47.

Following her path

She is currently Head of Talent Acquisition (UK) with a senior recruitment role within Airbus (UK), but also has responsibilities over teams in France and Portugal and leads the company-wide project to deliver recruitment with a global HR services supplier.

Jacqui has enjoyed working with people from different walks of life throughout her career with a wide range of roles from steering executive meetings with the CEO through to delivering hands-on training for production teams.

Born in Scotland, the daughter of immigrants from Hong Kong and raised in Liverpool, she took temping jobs before securing a procurement role with the company’s graduate programme.

On experiencing different departments, she says: “I saw it as a place where you can follow a path that is set by the company — or carve your own path.”

That saw her set off for Beijing in product marketing before returning to HR, but she was soon seeking change and even considering looking outside the company. That was until the

opportunity arose to join a multi-country project in Toulouse, having grown up bi-culturally her skills and ‘cultural sensitivity’ played a key role in her success.

Transferable skills

Currently based in Bristol, Jacqui points to several ways into jobs with the company, alongside the graduate scheme, including apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships.

Emphasising there does not need to be a direct connection between a degree subject and career choice, she stresses that employers are increasingly looking at a person’s attributes as well as their qualifications.

When recruiting, such as for interns, her team is encouraged to look at the bottom of the CV and see what interests and transferable skills people also have.

Flexible skills and roles

A mother of two, it was a question posed by her daughter that made her realise why she stays with Airbus.

“I feel as though I have been working for a different company every three to four years because I change jobs,” she says. “The organisation is big enough for me to do that.”

“I have had multiple jobs, including working in Toulouse twice, but only one career — in Airbus — and that is key for me.

“If people want to be a super expert in a topic, there is room for that because we need such people. But if people want to broaden their skill set, we are also a large enough organisation for that.” And this, says Jacqui, is the big attraction of a career with her employer — and in the sector.

Graduate’s career takes off after landing a quality role

Mike Bristowe knows only too well the many and varied opportunities there are for young people wishing to work at Airbus having experienced several himself. His passion for aviation started young, but his determination to pursue a career with one of the world’s leading builders of aircraft is impressive, and ultimately his efforts have been rewarded with a job and responsibilities that he loves and relishes.

He is now a Supply Chain Quality Manager working within the procurement team, based at Filton, near Bristol.

Quality and safety first

“My job is to make sure all the components being installed meet our quality, cost and arrival time requirements. Fundamentally, I am

working to ensure all our aircraft are safe and the parts I manage are safe.”

“I work directly with suppliers of parts for the fuel systems across all of our aircraft programmes, to ensure the quality of the products they are delivering to us, and the crucial role they play in aircraft safety,” he explains. Navigating to that position resulted in a few diversions for Bristowe who as a sixth former, first applied for the company’s undergraduate apprenticeship programme. However, not quite achieving the A-Level grades required meant putting himself through university.

During his degree in Aerospace Engineering and Design at the University of the West of England, in Bristol, he applied for a one-year internship within the Ground Support Equipment team, where he gained his first valuable working experiences.

Determined to succeed However, on gaining his degree he found out just how competitive the graduate programme was and decided to study for a Masters to improve his chances of getting into the scheme.

“The scheme is incredibly competitive, but ultimately getting into Airbus was my goal so I spent another year doing my Master’s degree and then after applying again won a position as an Infrastructure Management Graduate within Defence and Space,” he says.

During his tenure, the ever-ambitious Bristowe managed to secure a fivemonth placement overseas in Germany within the Helicopter division, working on an inspiring project to develop a virtual reality application to help speed up the process of repair and maintenance on the aircraft.

“I organised it myself by using my network of contacts I’d already gained and asking if there were any projects I could help with,” he explains.

“Succeeding meant I scored the Airbus hat-trick as I have now worked in all three divisions of the company thus experiencing the pure breadth of career avenues, even at this early stage of my career.”

“With so many opportunities, I do envisage a long-term career here. With the opportunity to shape how the industry tackles decarbonisation, I see an exciting future and career ahead.”

INTERVIEW WITH Jacqui Chan Head of Talent Acquisition, Airbus UK

INTERVIEW WITH Mike Bristowe Supply Chain Quality Manager, Airbus

WRITTEN BY Mark Nicholls

WRITTEN BY Sheree Hanna

One determined young man pursuing his dream career with a global aerospace pioneer is grateful there are so many entry points available and is proof that tenacity pays off.

WRITTEN BY Magda Knight Director of Content and Marketing, Youth Employment UK

Support for young people struggling with education or work decisions

The findings of the 2022 Youth Voice Census, the largest annual survey of young people in the UK, reveal that young people are struggling to make ‘safe’ choices about their future.

The survey found that only 14.2% of young people were ‘confident’ they could find quality work nearby. In 51% of young people aged 19+, mental health challenges were their biggest barrier to accessing work. Approximately 52% of those in work cited anxiety as their biggest barrier to progress.

Helping young people advance further

It stood out that 77.8% of undergraduates enjoyed studying their chosen subject, but only 50% thought university was value for money; and 57.1% of university students thought their financial issues were challenging.

To address this, organisations and employers are joining the dots to provide structured and consistent support. For example, Youth Friendly Employer ABP Foods offers carpooling to help young, rural workers get to work and build connections. The Swap Don’t Drop campaign aims to reassure and inform students worried about continuing their college or university course.

How to make education easier for young people

Reasons for wanting to drop out of college or university might relate to finance, health, wellbeing, stress or not enjoying the course. It’s okay — we all have a change of heart sometimes.

Ask for support: College and university staff can advise you and put you in touch with student support teams. Change your course: You can often change your programme if you’re not enjoying it or want a change of direction. Ask your lecturer or admin team what the options are.

Explore alternative options: If finances or the learning process is an issue, you can combine qualifications with a salary through apprenticeships or degree apprenticeships. Ask staff about available opportunities. Work towards a goal: Have a goal in mind before making big changes. Look for opportunities that tie into why you did the course — not just ones that tie into the knowledge you’ve gained from it.

Reassessing outlooks on work

Is leaving the only option? Raise concerns with your manager; their quick fixes could turn your job into one you enjoy. Making snap decisions? A chat with your manager will help you gain clarity. React to facts, not solely feelings. Planned your next move? Research ways to land on your feet. Shape up your CV. Find and apply for new opportunities. Hand in your notice when you’re ready. Changing your mind can lead to a better future — if you feel prepared, informed and supported in your decisions.

How to stay motivated and make informed career choices

Staying motivated enough to think about life after studying is easier said than done. It can be even harder to take the practical steps necessary to get where you want to be.

Keeping motivated was cited in our Early Careers survey as the biggest challenge among students taking their next steps after school. This is perhaps no surprise after the disruption of the last three years — from the shift to online learning and the cancellation of exams to the impact on social lives. But that doesn’t make it less concerning.

For many young people, we found that this lack of motivation is manifesting itself in poor job applications and disengagement in careers.

Staying motivated in your own way

It’s important to remember to take the pressure off. This means avoiding comparisons with friends and peers because everyone is in different situations. Take the time you need to focus on yourself and be proactive. Setting realistic goals can help to get you started, manage your time and remove some of the pressure from thinking that you always need to be doing something about getting a job. This could be reserving a couple of hours a week to research careers or setting a target for how many companies you will apply to for work experience.

Making career planning part of your routine will make the process easier as you’ll become familiar with the available resources and opportunities.

Making informed career choices

Despite our survey showing that career professionals are the most helpful source of support, only around a quarter of students sought advice from them, and attendance in career activities is in decline.

Professionals are best placed to help students make informed career choices. As well as offering one-to-one appointments, there are workshops to help with writing CVs and job applications.

Careers services also provide a door to local companies for work experience, jobs or apprenticeships. They will have a good idea of the opportunities available and offer the chance to attend talks, ‘taster’ days and take part in projects set by employers. Seek career advice and find out what opportunities are on offer.

Consider how you can develop your skills so you’re an attractive candidate. Bear in mind that this doesn’t have to be a formal internship. Part-time work, volunteering and being part of a group are valuable. One of the most important aspects of landing the job you want will be your ability to identify and demonstrate the skills you’ve developed.

WRITTEN BY Chris Rea Careers Expert for Prospects at Jisc

Work towards a goal: Have a goal in mind before making big changes.

What universities can do to support students and help prepare them for future careers

Careers and placements teams within universities can play a pivotal role in creating forward-looking workplace opportunities for students.

Finding the right placement during a degree course can be a critical step in helping shape career options for students once they leave university. An important element within that, however, is having the right support and guidance within the university setting.

he will work with the company until September before returning for his final year.

TV and presenting. During lockdown, he launched a podcast; and it was while interviewing the founder of Klowt that the current placement opportunity arose.

There are a wide range of placements available, and your choice of degree subject doesn’t have to limit the types of roles or placements you apply for. The university encouraged the change of placement as the opportunity fit his career aspirations.

“This placement gives me a chance to work on videos and gets me in front of cameras, and that will help me in the presenter space and learn the skills I believe will help me become a presenter one day,” says Ahmed.

Invaluable support

Tarek Ahmed Marketing Executive, Klowt

Nicholls

Competitive world Tarek Ahmed, 21, is currently on a placement year with London-based media and marketing agency Klowt, working on in-house marketing as well as client-facing work, editing videos and overlooking copyright and content material.

Having completed two years of his degree in history and international relations at the University of Reading,

What makes a career in project management rewarding and dynamic?

Projects come in many different shapes and sizes, and all have an impact on the world around us. At a time when the world faces so many major challenges, becoming a project professional can be a great way to tackle some of these issues.

Every project needs a project team to keep a close watch on plans, budgets, contributors, quality of outputs and anything that could cause a problem. This team is pivotal to ensuring projects succeed.

While the placement year is optional, Ahmed believes it has significant benefits. “The post-grad world is competitive. Having that year in the industry and being able to put that on my CV can make me stand out more,” he says.

“It is also a brilliant networking opportunity and a great way to figure out how you work and whether you enjoy working in a corporate environment.”

Career aspirations

Ahmed initially joined a different company for his placement, but he realised his career focus was more on

He pointed to the invaluable support from Reading’s Careers and Placements team. A placement coordinator is available to give advice on CVs, covering letters, applications and where to find placements; and the team sends out regular emails with the latest internship and placement opportunities. Ahmed also completed the RED (Reading Experience and Development Award) to enhance his skills while working part-time, alongside his studies.

“I would not have gotten the placement without that support,” adds Ahmed. Moreover, there are careers events, mentors and a unit dedicated to finding jobs for students on campus that are flexible around assignments and study priorities.

organisation, communication, resilience and leadership are transferable, meaning a good project manager will be able to add value in any environment they choose to work.

Project management career routes

If you know someone who would be interested in a career in project management, it’s useful to know there are a number of routes to becoming a project professional, including:

• Apprenticeships: For on-the-job learning and development, so you can ‘earn while you learn.’

than chance. It plays a crucial role in a wide range of business sectors, from media, IT and healthcare to engineering, construction and financial services — making it a varied and rewarding job.

Many project managers talk about the pride they feel in delivering something that makes the world a better place.

Project management can also be financially rewarding, with £47,500 being the average salary of an experienced project manager, according to a recent survey by Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession.

• The Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship usually lasts 12–15 months and includes the APM Project Management Qualification.

• The Level 6 Project Manager Integrated Degree Apprenticeship usually lasts four years.

• University: By completing a BSc or MSc in project management.

• Professional qualifications:

People can develop skills and career progression by doing a professional qualification in project management, such as those offered by APM, and go on to become a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP).

Benefits of project management Project management is increasingly becoming a career of choice rather

Project management is a growing profession and changing fast. Project management skills including

Whichever route you choose, project management can be an exciting, fulfilling and productive career.

INTERVIEW WITH

WRITTEN BY Mark

Many project managers talk about the pride they feel in delivering something that makes the world a better place.

WRITTEN BY Jackie Martin Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, APM

WRITTEN BY Dipika Audit & Assurance, Deloitte

Graduate mum proves she can have both career growth and time with family

When Dipika became a mum, she was only just finishing her studies. Since joining Audit and Assurance on a graduate scheme, she has learnt to balance parenthood alongside launching her career. We speak to her about her challenges and successes.

Dipika was able to spend time with her young daughter before applying for the Deloitte graduate programme, which was recommended by a friend.

“It seemed like there was a great work/life balance which was important to me as a new mum, and the teams were friendly,” she shares.

Supportive environment

Although none of her peers had young children when she joined, she found that everyone was extremely supportive and understanding of their different lifestyles. Dipika had additional support from one of her directors, who’d recently had a baby as well.

“My team has always been really supportive and encouraged me to ask for help when I need it,” she adds.

Due to Deloitte’s flexible working policies, Dipika is able to work from home when she needs to and manage her work around school pick-up times.

“I am definitely getting into the swing of it now, and working in such a flexible environment has really helped.

If I need to log off and finish something later, it’s never a problem.”

Growing career

Dipika has already had three promotions since joining the firm and now works as an assistant manager in analytics and modelling.

While she says many people believe that careers in Audit and Assurance are rigid and specific, she’s found the opposite to be true. “In reality, there are so many different teams and lots of room for creativity.” As well as working hard at her day job, Dipika is a diversity and inclusion representative.

As a woman working in the sector, Dipika highly recommends it, because as well as providing an inclusive culture, she’s also had all the training she needs.

She concludes: “I feel as though I’m supported here to develop my career in the way that feels best suited to me. Now that I’ve settled into life as a working parent, I am really getting into my stride.”

Recreating one’s future to promote diversity and the value of mentorship

When he was growing up, Baba turned to his mum for inspiration. Now, he’s an Analyst in Consulting with aspirations to become a mentor to others who need extra support. We speak to him about his upbringing, passion for sport and learning to find his feet in the workplace.

Growing up in a deprived area in Hackney, Baba gained his childhood inspiration from his mum, who worked two or three jobs to keep their heads above water.

Sports and education

During his teenage years, he got his first taste of mentorship when a local teacher took an interest in his basketball skills.

WRITTEN BY Baba Consulting, Deloitte

“If it hadn’t been for his belief in me, I don’t think I would have gone as far as I did,” Baba admits.

He was even offered the opportunity to play in the states as part of a college scheme but decided against it.

“I knew I wanted to make my mum proud and pay her back for everything she’s done for me. I also knew I had to make a unique route for myself to build my own options,” he says.

Using the support of a company called upReach, he applied for the Deloitte Summer Vacation Scheme, before eventually joining the graduate programme in 2021.

“I chose Deloitte because it seemed like the most diverse

firm for professional services. I joined Consulting, and I’m now part of Digital.”

Embracing diversity and mentorship

Since joining the company, Baba has been assessed for ADHD by a GP. He’s open about being neurodiverse and has received the support he needs from his team.

“I feel that I’m able to talk about it, and I won’t be negatively judged.”

Now a mentor to his friends and family, Baba believes being a role model to the younger generation is what life is about. In the future, he aspires to mentor new graduates too.

In terms of tackling some of society’s inequalities, he’s pleased to see the work that’s being done at Deloitte to tackle unconscious bias.

He concludes: “They’re taking the right steps to combat this by having many initiatives in place that encourage better representation.”

Moving from Cumbria to Belfast out of passion for a tech career

Why did you move to Belfast?

I started by searching the top graduate firms, and Deloitte stood out to me as a great employer. 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.

What do you love about your job?

Some days, it doesn’t feel like work. There’s always something new and exciting to do. I feel like I’m solving fun puzzles every day. You get to work for many different clients on various projects, and it always feels like they’re an extension of the team because we work together to achieve our goals.

What advice would you share with others following the same path?

Consulting is a fast-paced environment, and there’s always change happening. I think it suits me because I’m a logical thinker and enjoy communicating with other people.

If you’re going to work in this industry, I think integrity and ethics are important. Luckily, the people at Deloitte are always ready to help and support you with anything you need.

What motivates you?

It was only when I discovered the computer science modules at university that I realised I had a passion for tech. I’m motivated by working in a diverse role with plenty to keep me occupied. Being able to clearly see the end result is also important to me. I always get a thrill from seeing what we’ve produced as a team.

What do you enjoy in your spare time, and who inspires you?

I love sports, especially running, and Deloitte supports you in maintaining a positive work/life balance. My dad has always been my inspiration because he’s always encouraged me to follow the path that suits me most. His motto is “if you want something, go for it,” and that’s something I try to live by.

Originally from Cumbria, Conor moved to Northern Ireland to become a software developer in Belfast. He talks about why he loves his role.

WRITTEN BY Conor Consulting, Deloitte