Financial Services - Cyber Security
At Deloitte, it’s our people who make us succeed. Your background, skills, interests, and ideas are what makes you succeed. We value you and everything you can bring to our business. Meet Arushi, and hear about her journey from intern to manager.
I studied Computer Engineering for my undergraduate degree and went on to complete a Masters in Computer Science from University College Dublin, with a focus in Cyber Security.
I think it was the brand name that drew me here, and the people that made me stay. I joined Deloitte as an intern in June 2017 and had a very positive experience. When I got offered a Graduate role after my internship, I gladly accepted. The collaborative culture, variety in work and approachability of the people definitely were key factors in my decision. I felt that working in Deloitte would be a good challenge and help me develop my skills to forge a successful career in the long-term.
Deloitte was my first ever job so it was challenging to move from academia to the fast-paced world of professional services. It was a completely different experience and naturally I was a little scared at first. There is a stark difference between the hypothetical nature in academia and the real-life impact of our work on client organisations.
It was challenging to see the scale of things and the impact that you can make, even as a graduate! However, coming into Deloitte as part of the Graduate Programme reduced the pressure of stepping into the working world because I had an entire cohort of graduates that started with me. We were eased into the world of professional services through a structured training programme which helped us acclimatise to the working world.
As part of the Graduate programme, you complete training across different facets of Consulting which helps you to easily integrate in to the firm. Through my participation in various projects, I had the opportunity to build upon my technical knowledge and enhance my soft skills through client interactions.
The one thing I really like about Deloitte is that we work on practical projects across a range of industries, which means that if you're just starting out (like me!), you gain a lot of relevant experience and take on a level of responsibility very quickly. I have also had ample opportunities to meet and work with our colleagues from Deloitte offices across the globe which has helped me to understand how businesses work in different parts of the world.
I have been fortunate to have some great mentors who have provided me with good advice and have helped shape my career path. Within my team at Deloitte, senior management have been fantastic mentors to me! I have been able to seek advice and tap into their experiences to identify what areas I am best suited to.
As a graduate, I have always had constant support from my peers and seniors on the team, whether it was career advice, help with a task or a friend to get coffee with. One of the best pieces of advice that I have received is “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice your opinions”.
The most valuable thing that I have learned is that it is okay to not know all the answers. A lot of people feel that they are not good enough because they don’t know a subject in depth. In Advisory, there will always be something you won’t know because it is ever-evolving. The key to success is your willingness to keep learning and staying curious.
If I could start again, I would have stepped outside my comfort zone and been more open to new experiences, no matter how daunting they seemed. Before, I never understood all the applications of my skillset and I never would have come across Deloitte had my manager not lectured in UCD.
Some of the best experiences that have shaped my career have come from taking a leap of faith and trusting myself. My top three tips for anyone who has just finished college are: to be a ‘Yes’ person, talk less and listen more, and ask thoughtful questions.