The interpersonal skills and professional connections I made over the past year will help me in projects when I return to university and beyond.

What were your main responsibilities?

My main responsibility was performing analytics to support the financial audit of the external clients. This involved engaging with different teams within Deloitte and assisting them as an Analyst where necessary. This can be through working on large data sets to provide concise results for the audit team or identifying gaps in data provided by clients to manage risk more effectively.

What was the most rewarding aspect of your current role and/or your greatest achievement so far?

One of the most rewarding aspects was to actually see the impact my work made to the people it was helping. The responsibilities and importance of my work right from the start helped me learn and gain confidence in my abilities. Participating and presenting in large meetings to showcase my work and receive feedback were some of the most important things to help me grow over the past year. I even received a “Collaborate for Measurable Impact - Values Hero” award for my contribution to work for a client.

Were there any challenging aspects? If so what were they?

The most challenging part was the steep learning curve that comes along with working in the industry for the first time. I was constantly learning to keep myself up to date with new technologies that were used by clients.

What skills/qualifications from your degree did you make use of in your job?

Aside from the invaluable technical content, the foundational logic and analytical approach that I acquired throughout my degree was really helpful for my placement. In addition, the Global Engineering Week and Engineering You’re Hired were particularly useful as they combined teamwork with understanding and managing client expectations within a set timeframe.

How do you think your year in industry will helped your return to study?

The interpersonal skills and professional connections I made over the past year will help me in projects when I return to university and beyond. Additionally, the ability to plan and structure my research and critically review my own work will be important when working on my dissertation. The adaptability and time management that I have practiced and learned are valuable skills that I aim to make full use of in my final year.

Why did you choose to study at Sheffield?

The diversity at Sheffield is something I have always admired and this was a particularly important aspect to me as an international student. When I visited on an open day I immediately felt welcome by the staff and students. Everyone was really friendly and the facilities were amazing.

What are the best things about studying in the Department?

As a Russell Group university the department has great reputation which is very useful when applying for internships or jobs. The lecturers are always supportive and facilities are world-class.

What do you like best about Sheffield?

Sheffield is a fantastic place to live and the proximity to the Peak District is a great plus! There are always events going on with several opportunities to meet people from all over the world.

Where do you see yourself in the future? Do you think your placement will influence your career choice?

I want to continue building upon my skills and learning. I really enjoyed and learnt a lot from my placement so after I graduate, I will be returning to Deloitte in the Analytics team.

If you could give one piece of advice to current students or potential applications what would it be?

Take all the amazing opportunities presented to you. Sheffield has the best Students' Union and societies in the country so get involved and participate! It really helps you become an all rounded individual and can be a great place to make some new friends.