Case study

Daniel is a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers

Job pathway

Pizza maker > Sales assistant > Casual tutor > Consultant

Qualifications

Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours Class 1)

How did you end up working in your current job?

You may or may not know, but PricewaterhouseCoopers is an accounting firm and one of the last places I expected to be at when I finished university. Since I started my degree at university I always wanted to move toward the information systems arena, where I would be required to adequately mix business with IT. After applying for several different graduate positions, it became clearer to me that PwC was not only an accounting firm but also a business consulting firm, where, as a consultant, you would advise the client on adherence to policies and alteration to current procedures to better meet these policies. This, although not directly from an IT focus, would allow me to perform the style of job I had expected. In addition, PwC is a firm that provides me with a wider range of possibilities in terms of 'climbing up the corporate ladder' and is also quite a relaxed and easygoing place. For these reasons I ended up at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

What skills do you use in your job?

Observation and communication skills would be the skills I use the most. Dealing with different clients on a daily basis requires that I clearly communicate the purpose of the review with the client as well as obtain any information I require to adequately perform the review.

What are some alternative jobs that you would be qualified for?

Any graduate software development role within IT, as well as any general graduate position within IT.

" I am a member of a church and a music leader at the youth group. This helped me to develop communication and leadership skills that I would have otherwise not developed....."

What do you think it was that got you the job over other applicants?

My ability to communicate with others, as was shown through previous experience. Also I think it was my ability to pick up new methods quickly and easily, so that I would be able to understand the procedures at a new client.

What advice would you give to students who have commenced a Information Technology degree and want to get a great job when they graduate?

Experience really does make a difference so if you can get some, then definitely go for it. Your marks also do matter, so keep studying.

What were your biggest mistakes during your life when applying for jobs? How would you have done it better?

Being nervous and showing it through the interview. When you enter an interview, be confident but most of all, relax. The interviewer will notice if you are scared and, to some extent, this may take away from the overall impression you leave with them.

What type of activities were you involved in at university and high school, and did they give you any skills that you use in your job now?

I am a member of a church and a music leader at the youth group. This helped me to develop communication and leadership skills that I would have otherwise not developed.

What was the most surprising thing about working full time in IT that you did not expect?

Well, I'm not really working in IT, but the most surprising thing I found is that you really need to have confidence in yourself from day one, because your employer will — and they will expect you to do things you haven't yet thought of.

If you could go back to the start of your degree and change anything you did since then, what would it be?

Do more business-based subjects instead of chemistry and other less-related subjects.

Where do you see yourself in five year's time?

I see myself as a manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers.