What sparked your interest in Accounting, Finance and Banking?

I knew I wanted to do something finance-related and Accounting and Finance as a course could open many doors. There are a wide range of roles in the finance industry which consider Accounting and Finance degrees highly. I also knew that if I wanted to pursue being a Chartered Accountant that this course would help me a lot going forward and equip me with the knowledge needed. 

What was your first job after graduating? 

Financial Analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. 

What are your greatest achievements so far?   

Landing a place on the graduate scheme felt like a huge achievement as it meant I would get the opportunity to explore a career. This has opened many doors for me. I have now started my Chartered Accounting qualification with ACCA and the next milestone will be completion of this. 

What does diversity in Accounting, Finance and Banking mean to you?

I’m a firm believer of collaboration. Different minds that can bring new ideas to the table are important and we need people from all different backgrounds, who have had different experiences, to come together to do this. It’s really important to also have diversity in senior roles as this gives people the belief and confidence that they can achieve the same if not more. I am currently involved in D&I (diversity and inclusion) committees at my place of work. 

What advice would you give to students who aspire to a career in Accounting, Finance and Banking?

Do some research to see what you may want to aim for, this way you’ll know the best things to do to achieve your goals. You don’t always need to know exactly what you want, but if you know key things that may aid you in future it’s always good to do that. A lot of the time you may not even know some roles existed. 

Always utilise the tutors at Manchester Met, they are all very experienced, friendly and happy to help with advice, not only with coursework and exams but also career wise. Take charge of your own career, speak to people you see as successful and use the advice to shape your future.