Hi, I'm Priya.
Manager in Engineering, AI & Data and cat mum
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My journey so far…
I was born in London, but my mum became very unwell, and it was difficult for her to care for me. She was also looking after other sick relatives, so when I was five, I moved to New Jersey in the US to live with my auntie. I loved music and joined the marching band at school.
By the time I was 17 my mum was a lot better, so I moved back to the UK to study for my A Levels. I also knew it would be cheaper to go to university in England. At the time I wanted to be a doctor, so I studied STEM subjects, but I found it really difficult, and the curriculum was very different to the US. Although I passed, I didn't get the right biology grade for medical school, so I decided to study maths instead.
While at university I struggled to keep up with lectures and a friend recommended I get assessed for dyslexia. After a visit to the student support services, I was diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia. This meant I got additional support, like extra time in exams, coaching sessions and assistive technology, all of which really helped me. After university I did a graduate programme in corporate and investment banking, before moving to Deloitte. Consulting really appealed to me because you get to work on different projects all the time.
Work that matters
I’m a manager in Technology and Transformation, working directly with our clients in the financial services industry to solve their key business challenges. I help to get tech and regulatory programmes implemented into organisations, which I really enjoy. It gives me the opportunity to work with some of the smartest people in the industry, and I like knowing that the work we do makes a difference for our clients.
I’ve always worked in an office and during the Covid lockdown, I began to experience some challenges with home working. I was struggling to cope with planning and structuring and, without daily interaction with colleagues, I became hyper focused on deadlines, going hours without eating. I spoke with occupational health to get some support and they told me that undiagnosed ADHD is very common in women, especially those with dyslexia or dyspraxia. I went to my GP and after a formal diagnosis, I began taking medication.
During this process my team was incredibly supportive, allowing me to take time off while I got used to the side effects. Since adjusting to the medication, I’ve found it really helpful, and I’m grateful that my team and clients have been so understanding. If I say I'm not feeling great, people always check up on me and make sure I’m ok. Besides medication, the adjustments I received at work have been invaluable, including assistive technology, workplace strategy coaching, specialised training for senior leaders within my team and much more!
I also joined the Neurodiversity Network, which has helped me to better understand the diagnosis and learn what I need.
Highlights from my week
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I plan for the week with my team, identifying what we need to achieve. In the evening, I go out to the gym. | I get some really positive feedback from a client after we complete a piece of work early. In the afternoon I get started on some actions from yesterday’s meeting. | I attend a Women in Technology conference, which I really enjoy. As well as raising awareness about roles at the firm, I’m able to attend workshops and grow my skills. | I take part in a marketing video to raise awareness about neurodiversity, which I hope will be helpful for others who might be facing challenges. In the evening, I visit my granny for dinner. | I work from home on a Friday which is nice because I can put the slow cooker on at the same time. I spend the afternoon finishing up client work and planning my development goals before relaxing in the evening. |
My weekend looks like
I love animals and I have two cats at home. I’ve designed an agility course for them, and I use treats to help them learn tricks. During the week I’m always busy, so I make time to spoil them all weekend. I also practice my saxophone, and spend time with my partner, going out for a meal or seeing a gig together. I love music and this year we’re spending our holidays going to see bands in different cities around the world.
3 things I've learned
Everyone doesn’t need to know everything
I’m a chronic oversharer, but I’ve learnt when to stop. I’m an open book with my colleagues, but I am starting to put boundaries in place.
It’s ok to be different
We’re not all the same and that’s a good thing! It’s important to embrace being quirky.
Don’t be afraid to ask for the right support
Since speaking openly at events and with my team about neurodiversity, it’s made me consider what I really need. I’ve learnt to tell people not only when I would like help, but also explain exactly what I need.
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Priya's book recommendation
Ultra-processed people by Dr. Chris van Tulleken
This book looks into the ways our diets are impacting our health and wellbeing, with a focus on ultra-processed foods. The studies referenced in the book show how certain foods can become addictive, and increase the potential risk of disease. This book really educated me on some of the potential dangers of our modern diets, and the ways we can change it to make healthier choices.
