Christopher Menon

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Capgemini Invent

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

After graduating, I worked at Vodafone as a graduate software engineer for 18 months, contributing to the full-stack development of internal business applications. I’m currently working as a software engineer consultant at Capgemini Invent, delivering digital transformation projects for large public-sector clients. I also volunteer as a trustee and non-executive director of a local multi-academy trust.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

In my job, I enjoy the opportunity to enable clients to transform their processes and workflows with new technologies such as AI, and work to ensure these transformations are delivered effectively to ensure a lasting positive impact. As a consultant, I value the flexibility to move between clients, teams, and projects, allowing me to gain a broad range of experiences.

And as a multi-academy trustee, I enjoy the unique opportunity to have a strategic impact on the education of over 1,500 young people across two local schools. I love the breadth of matters the board considers, the collegiate and collaborative nature of the role, and the opportunity to apply knowledge & skills from my job (and vice-versa).

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

Contemporary Choir, Cool Runnings, and Exeter Students’ Guild Trustee Board.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

Studying Biology and Computer Science through the Flexible Combined Honours programme, I most enjoyed the unique opportunity to study two different subjects and develop a breadth of knowledge across both disciplines. I also enjoyed the opportunity to complete an industrial placement year, giving me a full year of professional experience before I’d even graduated.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Do an industrial placement year! Not only was it a brilliant opportunity to gain some professional experience, but it also enabled me to try out new things and refine what I’d like to do in my career.

And if you’re interested in becoming a charity trustee or school governor, then try and get involved with local schools or charities, apply to join the Students’ Guild Trustee Board, or engage with national organisations such as Governors for Schools and the Young Trustees Movement.

What are your plans for the future?

Going forward, I’m keen to continue developing new skills in my current role and start to learn how to take technical leadership of projects and support colleagues with their development. I also plan to continue volunteering as a multi-academy trustee and giving back to the community in this way.