Rita is a 2016 Ivey HBA graduate and is currently working as a Senior Consulting Analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. Pursuing a more unconventional path, she has found herself at the intersection of technology and business. She manages a variety of different research and consulting related projects within the technology industry.
What experiences do you think best helped you get to where you are?
In terms of getting my first position with Info-Tech as a Consulting Analyst in Securities and Risk Compliance, I think a big part of landing that job was having different leadership roles under my belt. Joining different clubs and playing a role in the organization of major events and conferences really allowed me to showcase my capabilities to employers. In terms of growing within the organization, I think something that makes a big difference is helping your manager take on the things that he or she doesn’t want to do or doesn’t have the time to do. Take initiative and exceed expectations even before you have to be asked.
What do you like the most about your company or job?
Of course, a big part of it, as for any organization, is the people. Beyond that though, I think working for a smaller company means that you can lead projects that actually make a really big difference both for the client and for the company. You have the ability to play a more involved role and build things out. You take on things that you’re interested in and get the green light saying yes.
What has been the biggest surprise out of Ivey?
Something surprising has been that my biggest takeaways out of Ivey weren’t the heavy business-related skills like financial modelling, or marketing, but rather the soft skills. Ivey does an incredible job at preparing your soft skills. Learning how to work hard and get things done and how to work in teams has proven to be invaluable time and time again. They’re useful regardless of the industry you’re in.
What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
At the beginning of HBA, I felt overwhelmed and a little hesitant to dive in. I should have spent more time thinking about what the major firms were interested in and really let myself get immersed into the environment. Not to say that I don’t love where I’ve ended up but more so just to say that I tried it. The recruitment process is definitely daunting but not getting a job 6 or 8 months before you finish school is not the end of the world at all. It is totally okay to recruit in real-time and wait until after you finish your degree. You might even get better opportunities that way!
What is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone who was just starting out their career?
To quote Sheryl Sandberg, “lean in”. Lean-in to the position even if you don’t enjoy it 3 or 6 months down the line. In university, without that much experience under your belt, it’s hard to know what you want and it’s hard to adjust to the working lifestyle. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of the work you’re doing, show your drive and commit to trying as hard as you can. Lots of people struggle at the beginning but it’s important to still put in your best effort. That way, you can transition into a different role or leave having gotten everything you could have out of that company. Either way, turn your loss into a win.