Chris B.
About me
| Chris B. | |
| History | |
| History and Politics | |
| Undergraduate | |
| James | |
| 2010 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Business Manager | |
| BlackRock | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Finance and consultancy | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2018 |
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A day in the life of a Business Manager in the United Kingdom
In many ways it was a part time job that gave me a broader network and experience of "life" than I was having from University.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
I work for the largest Asset Manager in the world, BlackRock. I moved into finance having been a commissioned officer in the British Army for 6 years.
What do you do?
I provide oversight, assistance and project management to the running of the Multi Asset Solutions investment team. This is a global team of over 400 employees.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
Skills picked up from the military but also from my natural character and personality. I enjoy working with people (interactively), problem solving and being a "doer."
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Yes - although I was always going to join the army first.
Describe your most memorable day at work
Being invited into senior management discussions on the future roles and the direction of the business area I was in. This showed their trust in me both as a person but also a professional.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
BlackRock is very inclusive. They go out of their way to encourage diversity and promote the wellbeing of their employees. It has a great One BlackRock feel to it which is led from a the top - Larry Fink.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I was a member of the Officer Training Corps (OTC). This developed me in far more ways that my learning experience. In many ways it was a part time job that gave me a broader network and experience of "life" than I was having from University. It was the grounding for me going to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst but was also the template for me building my career.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Differentiate yourself. Be yourself but be interesting. A degree is great but having experiences (relevant and interesting) is what makes you different to all the other candidates out there. What experiences and skills have you learnt, proven and developed that are applicable in the workplace? It's a hard graft to find a job and that's normal. Be humble in your mindset and expect rejection; rejection is not because you're a bad candidate!
Next steps...
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