Job Title: Technology Consultant
Bio: I joined the Intelligent Automation team in EY Technology Consulting in September 2022 as part of the graduate programme. I am currently working as a developer but have spent most of my time at EY working as a Business Analyst in the Intelligent Automation space. Before joining EY, I studied Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin, then moved to Northern Ireland to do a Master’s in Bioinformatics at Queen’s University Belfast.
What does your typical day look like?
Like most consultants, every day can look different but follows the same general structure. In the morning, I attend daily stand-up meetings to inform my team what I’m working on for the day. For the rest of the day, I’m normally building automation solutions for our clients. We call the solutions ‘bots’, and bots can automate a range of things like updating Excel spreadsheets; extracting data from a website; or entering data into a legacy system. This frees up time for our client’s staff members to focus on more rewarding or value adding work.
Outside of building automation solutions for our clients, I also work on a variety of internal projects. I am part of the Technology Consulting recruitment team where I support promoting EY as a great place to work by doing things like helping to organise our Tech Meet-Up events. I also develop and maintain a financial reporting dashboard and am currently delivering a series of Power BI training sessions for my team. Power BI is one of my favourite tools, I enjoy seeing how my training sessions help others to build their own automated reporting and create powerful visuals that support their day-to-day activities. These projects are a great way to develop both my technical acumen and soft skills.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on an automation project in a private agri-business. Unlike other projects where the goal is to deliver one solution, the aim of this project is to automate as many processes as possible within a defined period. Since November 2023, I have built three bots, which have helped alleviate pressure on staff and improve efficiency across the business.
Outside of client work, as well as the internal projects mentioned above, I recently delivered a talk for the Project Management Institute on how AI can support Project Managers, and shortly after I was on a panel at an event focusing on how private businesses can leverage AI. I am also speaking at the Women Techmakers Belfast event for International Women’s Day which I am very excited about.
What inspired you to join this company in particular?
Coming towards the end of my master’s degree, I was a bit stuck and unsure what to do next. At the time, I was considering staying in academia and doing a PhD, but I was having some major doubts. Knowing I was stuck, my brother-in-law suggested I apply for the EY graduate programme. At the time I didn’t know much about EY, but he advised me on the various areas I could work in, and how the graduate programme could help me to develop my skillset, try different roles and learn what interests me. I started on the EY Technology Consulting Graduate Programme 3 months later.
Did you always want to work in this industry (tech)?
Definitely not! I had a preconception that technology roles were lonely and isolating, and up until 2.5 years ago I was a self-confessed technophobe. This made a role in tech seem inaccessible and
intimidating. I’ve since learned you don’t need a background in technology to have a successful career, and I’ve never found my role to be lonely or isolating – EY is a very social company.
What’s your favourite part about your work?
My favourite part of my job is building proof of concepts. I really enjoy learning how to use a new tool, and then building a use case to show to our clients. I get to be creative, and it’s fun to build something new. Recently, I built an integrated automation, it’s so satisfying when you try something cool, and it works.
My favourite part about working here is the culture, EY is a very friendly and inclusive company. There are always opportunities to network, whether it’s going for coffee with a member of your team, having a virtual catch-up or attending an event. I’ve found that having such great people around means that someone is always available and willing to help when you’re stuck.
What would you say to other people considering a job in this industry (tech)?
I never felt ‘techy’ enough to move into tech. Before I started studying Bioinformatics, I was so terrified the rest of my class would have strong computer science backgrounds and I would fall behind, but everyone was in the same boat. Tech seems really intimidating from the outside, but so many people in the tech industry would consider themselves ‘non-technical’. People from non-tech backgrounds move into tech all the time and succeed. All you need is a willingness to learn and some patience with yourself while you’re learning.
What tech gadget could you not live without?
This might be a boring answer, but I love my Kindle. I haven’t read a physical book in years, they’re too awkward and clunky. It fits nicely in my handbag and when I finish a book, I can buy another one instantly.
