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Graduate case studies

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Fiona - 
Sales Technology Consultant

Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

About the job

Main responsibilities

To design and deliver systems training for Franklin Templeton employees.

Typical day

I will deliver a few training sessions, update existing training, design new training or plan a training trip.

What do I enjoy about my job?

I support employees across the international division at Franklin Templeton so travel is a big part of my job. I have delivered training in South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil and most of Europe.

Challenging aspects

I don't work a 9-5 day typically as a lot my delegates are in other timezones. Getting up at 1.00am to delivering training can be challenging but I am used to it.

Why did this area of work appeal to me?

In my first job I was involved in the training of new employees when we opened an office in Cyprus. I enjoyed training others so much I decided to pursue it.

Skills/qualifications I use in my job?

I use German the most. Our German office is our largest European office and most people are more comfortable speaking German so I deliver training and provide handouts in German. I also did French in the MLTC and while my spoken French is not but it is useful when people indicate in French they can't follow the training or they are lost.

Training I receive as part of my job

At the moment my training is focussed on developing training that can be delivered via e-learning using a program called Adobe Captivate. We are also looking at developing e-learning for use on Tablets and via youtube.com.


Career information

Brief history since leaving University

Thomson Reuters - Market Analyst
My first job started four weeks after I graduated. I translated press releases from the German, Dutch and Benelux stock exchanges.

Thomson Reuters - Client Resource Executive
I organized training courses, booked customer training appointments and took the financial exams required for becoming a Client Trainer.

Thomson Reuters - Client Trainer
I provided systems training for customers based at the London offices of BNP Paribas, Barclays and HSBC.

BMJ Group - Account Development Manager
The BMJ Group is the corporate arm of the British Medical Journal. I provided systems training to their external customers which were hospitals and medical schools based in the UK and Ireland.

Where do I see myself in the future?

I am CIPD qualified trainer but I would like to further progress my CIPD qualifications and eventually convert it to a Masters in Human Resources.


Advice to students

My piece of advice to students

Hindsight is a great thing. For me I wish I had done a couple of business modules while at university or done Business with German. Having a dual degree makes you more employable but not everyone knows what they want to do at 18 when you are applying to university. Studying Dutch got me my first job not German.

Its expected that you have good IT skills if you want to work in the corporate or public sector. If you don't know how to use Excel and Power point take a course as training is not provided by all companies.


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Last updated: 28 Jan 2014