Alumni Volunteer profiles

Chris heads Investec’s Capital Goods (Aerospace & Defence/Industrials) research team. He has worked at Investec since 2004 having consistently been ranked highly in external surveys.

Happy to advise on:

• Developing a career in finance
• Working in the City

Advice I would give someone at the start of their career:

Don’t lose confidence if at first you don’t succeed. ‘Bouncebackability‘ is a skill that is under-appreciated/valued in the jobs market.

Ben’s role involves trading across asset classes (Credit, interest rates, equity, fx etc) to provide structured credit solutions to clients. Recent projects have included a large solar energy leasing deal in the US to finance a top 3 renewable energy company. He has worked at the same company since graduation in 2003.

Happy to advise on:

• An insight into careers in Finance
• Different jobs available in Banks
• How gaining FSA registration has helped my career
• How to progress up the career ladder within an organisation

Advice I would give someone at the start of their career:

• Speak to as many people as possible who have experienced the industry you want to work in and then take a while to think about what area of that industry fit best with the kind of person you are (e.g. don’t work in sales if you are not a people person).
• When you know where you want to go ask the people who are already there (and would make the hiring decision) what they would want from a new joiner and try to get it as specific as possible (what excel skills or market segment knowledge). If they don’t have any opportunities now ask if you can contact them again in six months’ time.
• I almost took a job immediately after graduating but was advised by someone already in the market that while the starting pay was good the progression opportunities were small. I passed on that job and found a lower paying job which developed into a better career.

After nearly 10 years in marketing and consultancy, Joanna retrained as an image consultant and established Inside Out. Joanna specialises in helping professional individuals and organisations with their image and impact – appearance, body language and communication skills to help them be confident in the impression they are making for business success. Joanna manages all aspects of the business and works with clients through private consultations, workshops and presentations. Previously, Joanna worked for Kimberly-Clark in France and the UK as a brand marketer and in several small marketing consultancies focused on marketing processes and evaluation.

Happy to advise on:

• Changing careers
• Networking
• Importance of image and impact at interviews and in your career
• Starting your own business

Advice I would give someone at the start of their career:

• Maintain and build a good network of people – you never know when someone could be a useful contact.
• Help people whenever you can in a professional context.
• Avoid limiting your options too early on.
• Qualifications are important but are by far from being the only route to success.
• Take opportunities to experience different roles/functions.
• I spent quite a long time feeling trapped in a career I wanted to change but was fearful of changing; it was an encouraging partner and a career coach that helped to knock these barriers down. If I’d been more open to change and options from the start I wouldn’t have felt trapped.

Ansett Aircraft Spares & Services (AASS) is a privately owned, aircraft parts provider, focusing on the global aftermarket for civil aircraft. Martin’s role as the AASS Business Development Director is to identify and critically evaluate business development opportunities. This involves reviewing current operational areas and establishing the long-term viability of existing partnerships, product offerings and market areas.

Recent projects have included:

• Developing a strategy to increase market penetration in Eastern Europe and countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States
• Increased engagement with Middle Eastern aircraft operators and airlines

Martin is a Chartered Engineer and prior to joining AASS he carried out a similar role with Aviation Spares and Repairs (ASR), who provide aircraft parts and repair services, predominantly within the military aircraft after market. ASR also provides capital equipment to the civil aircraft and airport markets. Previously, he was the Sales and Marketing Director at Intheairnet, who provide in-flight entertainment and cabin management equipment for the Head of State and VVIP aircraft market.

Happy to advise on:

• An insight into careers in the aerospace industry
• How to gain professional engineering registration
• An insight into working in an international environment and working with different cultures
• How to progress up the career ladder within an organisation
• How to manage a career change

Advice I would give someone at the start of their career:

Use placements to gather market intelligence as well as technical experience, so that you can learn about other players in your chosen field, as well as to identify key individuals within the organisations associated with each placement. Always try to see the bigger picture and endeavour to follow up with the contacts you have made. This is the start of your professional network.

This advice broadens your perspective. I have found this type of background information extremely useful at interview. It allowed me to talk knowledgably about potential competitors and customers as well as demonstrating an overall awareness of the market place.