Student Profiles

I start my new role with PwC Manchester in November 2016 as a graduate level Technology Consultant. This role will involve being placed with one of PwC’s clients. There a four different areas that I can specialise in, however, I will gain experience in all areas of technology consulting for the first two years. For example, it will be my job to help my client understand and evolve the way they align IT with their business strategy. I could be involved in a digital redesign or a user experience evaluation of a client’s online and mobile presence. I could be helping my client to draw value and business advantage from their data and information. Essentially, it is my job to use my business and technology background to help solve complex business problems.

I really enjoyed the fact that my degree subject is something that is ‘current’. It is still evolving and is in a constant state of change. Technology and the Web is a huge growth area and this means I am well placed to benefit from this moving forwards with my career. I also really enjoyed that the majority of my degree was based around project hand-ins and only a small amount was formal written exams. This helped me to take a professional approach to my hand-ins as if I was already working for a client.

Communication, teamwork, interpersonal skills, commercial awareness, problem solving, leadership, being flexible and adaptable and organisation. My degree has helped me learn how to work independently and off my own initiative and helped me to prioritise and manage my time efficiently. It has also helped me to analyse and critically evaluate my work and the work of my peers. Other key skills I have developed include: Presentation and public speaking skills, writing with structure and clarity, thinking and problem solving skills, whilst keeping an open mind. I have also had experience of managing projects and delegating to my peers, anticipating problems and putting plans in place to minimise their impact. Finally, I can criticise in a constructive way, negotiate in a persuasive manner, yet remain sensitive to others and respect that everybody is different.

Treat university as an opportunity and as an investment in yourself and your future. After all, you’re paying for it. The staff/team that make up the department of Languages, Information and Communications and specifically Web Development BSc are fantastic, they are enthusiastic and passionate about their subject, as you should be, so get involved in your lectures and seminars. The more you contribute, the more you’ll get out of your contact time. The department and lecturers have great links with local businesses and digital agencies in Manchester and the North of England. Networking opportunities and attending digital sector events and meet ups should be taken advantage of.

Starting something new and striving for success.

University isn’t all about your degree, I think it’s important to enjoy everything that university has to offer. Man Met and Manchester as a city, has so much to offer its students. Extra-curricular, whether sport or other hobbies, help to balance your academic life with a social life. I enjoyed competing in BUCS tennis matches and was chairman of my club in my second year.