Tom Newman

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Deloitte LLP

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

I had previously done a Placement Year at Deloitte in Financial Services Audit in 2018/19. As incredibly insightful, fulfilling and challenging this role was, I felt like audit wasn’t for me. However I massively enjoyed my time at Deloitte and knew I wanted to work for this firm after uni, so I applied for a transfer to Risk Advisory in the same office (Bristol) and am delighted to be starting in a couple of months. I enjoy the work since it allows me to become an expert in a field so soon after graduation, and from such a low level of experience you really are thrown in the deep end and your confidence shoots up because of it. The ACA qualification alongside it brings another challenge but emphasises the concept of rapid career progression further within the firm.

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

I was a member of the Falmouth & Exeter Business Society, which I would recommend joining even if you are not a Business student yourself. I was also Vice President of the Athletics Club in second year, then President in Final Year.

Were you part of the Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme at any point during your studies?

Yes.

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

Hard to pick just the one! If I have to, the thing I enjoyed most about the programme is the focus on corporate environmental responsibility; the degree is definitely broad enough to give you a strong background going into whatever role you may choose, but there’s just something a bit different but all the more important for you to talk about during interviews and maybe it opens up a career path you never thought of before! The biggest highlight for me, specific to the programme, was securing my placement. When you get that stamp of approval from an organisation to take you on board you know that your degree is going to take you places. I can wholeheartedly say this has been the case with BSc Business for me.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

I was fortunate enough to end up on the Penryn Campus, by Falmouth in Cornwall. What I loved most about studying here was the sheer beauty of the area, and the fact that in your second year you will probably quite literally be a stone’s throw away from one of the many gorgeous beaches that the town has to offer.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

The feel of the place just felt right. I can’t really explain it, but it seemed to tick all the boxes for me. It’s a sporty uni so I can get stuck in with a lot of different activities, but still a very good Russell Group University so you still get the kudos that comes with the name. Also, the flexibility of the course was a huge factor, allowing me to take a year out and really develop myself (Placement Year for me, but study abroad is of course a widely selected option), as well as studying for a language proficiency. I just felt like by studying at Exeter Uni, I could make something of myself that maybe wouldn’t have been the case elsewhere.

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

Being a more extroverted person was probably the single biggest development for me. Being able to interact with a pretty diverse range of people is always a plus for me, having come from a traditionally “low” socio-economic background. Leadership skills are pretty much thrust upon

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

Don’t get too caught up by the application process. Very rarely do people secure their job at the first attempt. If you do get rejected, ask yourself how you could have done things differently, learn from it, and you’ll be better prepared for the next time. I’d also say try to bolster your experience at University as much as you can, but don’t do it just for the sake of “it looks good on my CV”. Lead a project you find interesting, take a committee role on your favourite society, do some community work because you WANT to do it. Not only do these experiences make you a more well-rounded person but when you do get stuck in, you’ll find it far more enjoyable and you will still be able to use it to boost your chances of setting yourself apart from the standard applicant. Do extra activities, learn from your mistakes and read up on the jobs you want to apply for before you apply for them. It’s worth it.

What are your plans for the future?

My immediate 3 year plan would be to complete the ACA qualification alongside my work, i.e. to become a chartered accountant around 2023/24. After which, I would be looking to stay at Deloitte but hopefully branch out into other projects around sustainability. I’m also thinking of using my Spanish to head out to one of Deloitte’s international offices and see what projects are about in Spain.