Cornelia Baciu

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Deloitte LLP

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

I have joined 5 months after graduation (November 2012) Deloitte’s Forensic Department as an experienced hire. I am now a manager in a business intelligence team with over 35 members and I have been promoted 4 times since joining.

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

I loved the fact that I could use my Arabic language skills in my job and I was fortunate to find an employee who understood the value that a non – native Arabic speaker could bring to the job. The most enjoyable aspect of my work is the fact that my team is one of the most diverse and multicultural in the Firm.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

I had the best language teachers that someone could ask for and the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies had amazing facilities for studying, research or simply be in love with the Middle East.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

The Arabic course was and is one of the best rated in the country, with year abroad opportunities being the most suitable for my plans. On top of it all, has one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK.

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

The most useful skills were my language skills however equally important were time planning, critical thinking and concise writing skills (which the numerous essays at Exeter help immensely).

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

I will simply say to be confident in their language skills and be proud of having graduated from Exeter. They will find such a wide network of Exeter graduates working in the City and it will be good to make the most of it.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to study for a Master and continue improving my management and research skills. I aim to lead larger departments and teams engaged in complex work.