Can you share a little bit about why you chose to study psychology at Queen's University Belfast and your academic journey in general? 

I was drawn to study psychology as I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of human behaviour, and why people behave the way they do, both individually and in groups. I also wanted to do a degree that would equip me with a wide range of transferable skills that were valuable in various professions.

Reflecting on your time at Queen’s what would you say is your happiest memory?   

There are too many to list, but I would say that the lifelong friendships made with fellow students and the experiences I shared with them were some of my happiest memories. 

What was your first employment after graduation? 

After graduating from my Psychology degree, I decided to pursue a Masters in Computing due to my genuine interest in the data analysis, statistics, and HCI modules during my undergraduate studies. Soon after graduating, I secured my first job at lastminute.com in London as a software developer during the peak of the dotcom boom in 1999. 

And what is your current job role? 

I am currently an AI & Data Partner at Ernst & Young (EY) Technology Consulting in Hong Kong. In my role, I manage a consulting practice and offer AI & Data advisory services to senior executives (C Level) of various leading global organizations. My primary focus is to assist clients in transforming into data-driven organizations, empowering them to make informed decisions based on data-driven insights.

What has led you to currently work in Hong Kong?

After spending 6 years working in London and another 12 years in Australia, I began to get itchy feet again. The idea of working and residing in Asia had always fascinated me, and when an exceptional opportunity emerged at EY, I couldn't resist. Although I had built an incredible life in Australia, I didn't want to look back in my later years and regret not seizing this chance. In 2018, I made the bold decision to relocate my entire family to Hong Kong and embark on this new role. It turned out to be the most rewarding decision I have ever made. 

Are there many other psychology graduates in your line of work – how do you think studying psychology has prepared you for your career path?

As a multi-disciplinary Consulting firm, we offer Consulting, Tax, Audit and Strategy & Transaction advisory services to clients. We offer People Advisory Services as part of Consulting, where we advise EY clients on how to transform, grow, and operate their global workforces by putting people at the center of everything they do – these consulting services are delivered by consultants who are qualified psychologists. However, we also have large numbers of psychology graduates within our business as the skills learned during their undergraduate psychology degree are transferable to business transformation.

Studying psychology has helped me immensely in my consulting career. The learnings from psychology can be applied in consulting engagements to analyse client needs, assess organisational dynamics, and interpret individual and group behavior within the client's context. It helps consultants develop a deeper understanding of the people they work with, enabling them to tailor their approaches and recommendations accordingly. The foundational skills I acquired in data analysis and research methods during my psychology degree are integral to our everyday consulting work. These skills are critical to consulting, where consultants often need to collect, analyze, and interpret data to support their recommendations. 

While psychology alone may not provide all the skills required for a consulting career, it can complement other areas of expertise and contribute to a well-rounded consultant's skill set.

What advice would you give yourself if you went back to the start of your time at Queen’s?   

Embrace failure and learning from mistakes. Understand that failure and setbacks are part of the learning process. Embrace them as opportunities for growth, learn from your mistakes, and persist in the face of challenges. This applies to both university and your future career. One of the most valuable pieces of career advice I've ever received is this: If you ever find yourself in a job where you lack challenges, stop learning, and feel too comfortable, it's time to move on and pursue a new role that pushes you outside your comfort zone. Experiencing impostor syndrome in a new role is actually a positive sign, as it indicates that you are being challenged and driven to continue learning.

Profile submitted January 2024

Graduated: 1998