What did your role involve at Deloitte?
My role at Deloitte involved providing tax consulting services by working with a variety of clients, across a wide range of industry sectors, from large multinational companies to entrepreneurs and other high net worth individuals. My responsibilities were keeping abreast of Tax Law; building quality client relationships; helping clients with practical advice that made a tangible difference to their profits; providing consulting advice on tax structuring; completing and filing VAT returns; liaising with authoritative and legal bodies on behalf of our clients.
What was the most interesting aspect of your placement year?
Working with high profile clients on projects that would often make it into the news.
What advice would you give to students who are looking to undertake a year in industry?
My top 3 tips for applying for an industrial placement are:
Thoroughly research the role. A lot of the time, people are unsure what they want to pursue and apply for something they haven’t fully researched. An industrial placement lasts 12 months, which is longer than a year at university – it is not easy. The most important thing is ensuring you enjoy what you do or that year will drag on and it will be reflected in your performance.
Prepare. Just because you are a student doesn’t mean you are going to have an easier interview/selection process. The people you are being interviewed by are experienced in their field and will know if you are winging it – I’m not saying be an expert, but read up on your field of interest!
Apply early. The bigger firms tend to close applications at the end of December. Make sure you get in early to avoid disappointment (NB – most places are oversubscribed, so even if you are midway through an application process you might be told that all the places have been filled).
Other than the obvious benefit of having something great to put on your CV, what do you feel you got out of your year in industry?
Firstly, you will know whether or not you want to return to that field. Most people jump into certain industries as they feel that it is the natural route for an economics undergraduate. You’ll be surprised by how many people have tried finance and hate it! Secondly, exposure. You get real exposure to the fast paced working environment, this gives you a head start of what to expect when you start working as a graduate. Lastly, networks. I met so many people over the course of the year who supported me and taught me so much, both inside and outside the firm. LinkedIn is a great place to build your professional network, so meet as many people as you can!
What’s next after graduation?
I was fortunate enough to be offered a graduate job at Deloitte and plan to return later this year!