60 Decibels’ Post

In December 2023, I made the bold decision to step away from my role as Manager in the Group Mergers & Acquisitions team at ANZ. It was a move that wasn't taken lightly, but after much contemplation and guidance from mentors and my network, I decided to embark on a new journey: pursuing a postgraduate degree in Data Science at the University of Melbourne. Oh, and I squeezed in a quick trip to India along the way!   Before I delve into why I made this leap, I want to express my immense gratitude to ANZ for not only offering me my first full-time position pre-Covid as a graduate but also for being an incredible place to work. Thank you to the M&A team as well for the invaluable support, personal and professional growth, stimulating work, friendship, and of course, the fun times we've shared over the past two years.   Now, let's talk about why I chose to return to university…   ***   ✅ Reading the tea leaves (future employability) – It's no secret that the demand for data scientists is skyrocketing across all sectors, with the explosion of data collection and the need for companies to glean insights from it. Not to mention the rapid advancements in AI.   ✅ Intellectual stimulation – As someone who's always been drawn to mathematics, I'm eager to develop my technical prowess and apply it to the realms of statistics and computer science.   ✅ Skills to solve many real-world problems – Data scientists tackle a myriad of challenges, from optimising supply chains to developing healthcare treatments, combating financial fraud, and assessing the impacts of climate change. The hardest part will be choosing which path to pursue!   ✅ Lean on prior experience – Having completed a Bachelor of Commerce and with four years of experience at ANZ, I think I’m much better placed to engage in my studies and university life, as well as pursue professional opportunities that may arise from undertaking this course.   ✅ Taking a risk – If I didn’t make this decision now, then it’s likely I never would have. I knew I’d always wonder “what if?”. I believe life is about taking risks (within reason), especially at my age when there’s enough time to course-correct if needed.   ***   Thank you to my family, friends, colleagues and wider professional network for your encouragement and reassurance to pursue this. While I anticipate challenges along the way, I’m incredibly excited for what lies ahead. Bring it on!

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✨This week I was given the opportunity to take part in Bright Network virtual technology internship experience. As someone who previously had an interest in technology but had no idea how to make myself stand out in the industry, this transformative journey has allowed to gain a solid foundation into the world of tech and has greatly boosted my confidence. 💻🌙 Here are some key takeaways from the past 4 days: 💫 The keynote delivered by Ajay Kabra who is partner in Audit at PwC, taught me the responsibility that comes with the challenging work individuals tackle in professional environments. However the importance given to human judgment is what drives employees to keep doing what they are passionate about and evolve their growth mindset. The importance of having a personal brand was another segment covered by Charlotte Sangster (PwC)  💫 The leadership skills workshop delivered by Joao martins ( Deloitte ) was an immersive way to understand the key attributes needed for a strong leader. We put this into practice by developing an organisational plan to advise a high profile client on a M&A. 💫  Drones was an industry in technology I was completely unfamiliar until hearing the session led by Dave Pankhurst at BT Group. The technology sectors has been ever evolving with fintech, health tech and factory emerging with exciting job opportunities. Drones have been key in maintaining safety and capturing infrastructure, there has also been the development of sustainable technologies allowing the drone industry to be more envious friendly. 💫 Bobbie Payne a product manager from the BT Group delivered the work sample - an engaging way of giving us a taster of the project employees  would be working on. The task including outlining a roadmap and creating a set of user stories  for a firm, in order to enhance the user experience and increase monthly average users. This had to b the  of the experience as it was a way to channel my knowledge and creativity through adopting the role of a product manager. Special thanks to James Uffindell (founder and CEO Bright Network ) whose keynote resonated with me, encouraging me to ‘think big’ and hosts Philip Yarrow and Lola Oseni. To end off, I am grateful to the employees, graduates and alumni from companies such as PwC, Llyods TBS Offshore Banking, CrowdStrike, British Airways, KPMG, Bloomberg, Telent Technology Services Ltd, Deloitte, BT Group who have made me eager to continue my growth in the field of technology through their encouraging experiences, interview advice and industry. 🚀🌌 #brightnetwork #technology #careergrowth

A week ago I had the pleasure of having lunch with three young inspiring professionals. Tara M. Chris Brady Derome Robinson have three things in common, they are all alumni of Career Ready. As teenagers they all secured a Career Ready paid internship at Citi and now 5-6 years later they are all working for Citi. Hearing about their experiences to date and dreams for the future really reminded me why I love my job as much as I do. In my mind, all three are pioneers as they are all the first in their families to secure career paths of this nature. Career Ready is all about increasing social mobility and inspiring young talent to make more informed decisions about their futures. Against the statistical odds, this trio are not just thriving, but also setting a great example for younger generations within their communities. Citi are one of Career Ready’s founding partners and it is amazing to see the first hand impact of a fruitful long-term partnership which has run for over two decades. A massive thank you to all at Citi that have invested in our partnership over the years and made such positive social mobility a reality. In January this year we surveyed about 300 Career Ready alumni. It pleases me to see 60% of them are now employed or on an apprenticeship, with an additional 28% in university. When asked what impact did the Career Ready programme have on their career paths, 90% of those employed said it had a significant positive impact. This trio is the proof in the pudding, talent doesn’t have a particular post code. And none of the above would be possible without great partnerships with employers based across the U.K. Tiina Lee James Bardrick Rachael Barber Jackson Mendonsa Nancy Flint J Charlotte Antell Forhana Senatilleke Andrew Pitt James Freeborough OBE Mike O'Connor Rob Garlick Brandee McHale Sharon Blackman OBE Maria Petri Matt Sugden-J #SocialMobility

This is how sharing a cup of coffee with Sudipta Adhya, FRM, the COUNTRY HEAD OF FINANCE DIVISION BNY went like.(Skip only if you wanna miss about an amazing networking opportunity) Me and krish katyal recently had the privilege of meeting Sudipta Adhya , who generously shared his time and insights over a cup of coffee. This meeting left me with valuable lessons and a renewed sense of direction for my career. We delved into his remarkable journey from Goldman Sachs to BNY, and his rapid ascent in the corporate world. His key advice? “Find a good firm and stick to it. Don’t switch too much.” This resonated deeply with me, emphasising the importance of loyalty and commitment in one’s professional journey. We also explored the power of 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. He emphasized that effective networking can be transformative. If you network with 10 people and 2 of them rise to higher positions, they will uplift you if you consistently deliver your best. This underscores the immense value of building and nurturing professional relationships. Our conversation also touched upon the significance of 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. His perspective was enlightening: while building your personal brand is essential, it should be done in harmony with your organization’s brand. Lift others, engage genuinely, and focus on creating a community brand rather than a selfish image. We also talked about LinkedIn and how a well-maintained profile can help target the correct set of recruiters. I shared that without LinkedIn and an active profile, I wouldn’t have received his connection request, and we wouldn't have had this invaluable conversation. Throughout our conversation, his curiosity and impactful communication left a lasting impression on me. I am incredibly thankful for his guidance and the time he took to mentor us. His advice has not only broadened my perspective but has also inspired me to stay dedicated and connected. Thank you, Sudipta, for your invaluable insights and support. I am excited to implement these lessons and continue my journey with renewed focus and enthusiasm.And yes, people say it right, you have a contagious smile:) Thank you, BNY, for fostering such a welcoming environment where an intern can communicate so freely with higher authorities. Thank you, LinkedIn, for making it possible to connect with such impactful people. #Networking #PersonalBranding #CareerAdvice #Mentorship #Gratitude #ProfessionalGrowth #LinkedIn #BNY #lifeatBNY #internship #sdeintern

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We empower each of our people to bring their best selves to work every day and deliver value. This commitment extends to our interns and graduates as well. Do you want to know how an intern experiences #LifeAtNatWest? Listen to our talented young cohort who gained corporate experience through NatWest Group Early Careers - HeadStart programme. #NatWestIndia #NatWestEarlyCareers

Huge thanks to IEUK Bright Network for an incredible program. It enhanced my knowledge of the UK job market, giving me a much stronger grasp of its intricacies.🌟 Participated in hands-on workshops led by industry experts from Deloitte, Lloyds Banking Group, PwC, Bloomberg, and BT Group. These covered essential skills like leadership, data science fundamentals, and product management. 👩🏻💻 Furthermore, I used my knowledge to develop a digital strategy and tackle a challenging product management roadmap project. This not only honed my problem-solving skills but also fostered resilience, a growth mindset, and active listening. 🙌🏻 Beyond that, I'm glad to have invaluable opportunities to build a strong network with industry professionals, alumni, and fellow participants. This experience not only fueled the new knowledge but also reignited my passion for continuous self-improvement. I'm excited to leverage these lessons to excel in my future career! 🚀🚀 #BrightNetwork #IEUK2024 #Internshipexperience #ProfessionalSevices #Networking #Technology #SoftwareDevelopment #TechInternship #PersonalGrowth #ProductManagement

💫💫I’m thrilled to share my recent experience as an intern at Bharti AXA, where I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the world of investment research. Guided by experienced professionals, I embarked on the exciting task of creating a replica of a Fund Fact Sheet. 🔎The journey began with the selection and ranking of 30 sectors using 12 key parameters such as PE Ratio, ROE, and Profit Growth. From these sectors, I analyzed the top 10 companies based on comprehensive financial metrics, ultimately narrowing it down to the top 3 companies in each sector. To ensure a strategic allocation of funds, I employed a weighted average method, resulting in a detailed and insightful fund factsheet. This project was a fantastic learning experience and an excellent opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. I am grateful to Bharti AXA for their invaluable guidance and support throughout this journey. ⚠️⚠️Disclaimer: This analysis is based purely on academic study and assignment requirements and does not constitute investment advice. #FINANCE #INTERNSHIP #BHARTIAXA #EQUITYANALYSIS #FINANCIALMARKET