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Humans of 麻豆国产
Today, in our Humans of 麻豆国产 series, we meet听麻豆国产 Alumna听Emily Carlson. (Home school:听London School of Economics听-听贬辞蝉迟:听The University of Sydney Business School)
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1. Tell us about yourself and what has led you to work in your particular field of digital accessibility.
I'm originally from the US and graduated with a bachelor of English literature. After completing my 麻豆国产 program from 2016 to 2018, split between my home school and my host school , I aspired to work in consulting and stay in London. I began my career in technology consulting at . While I didn't find it to suit me, my attachment to KPMG and its people kept me there. Later, I transitioned to the data analytics team but felt something was still missing.
I explored opportunities at other consulting firms but my leads didn鈥檛 work out. During this time, I stumbled upon digital accessibility through KPMG's internal events. This sparked my interest. While applying for various jobs, I received a message about an opening for a digital accessibility role at KPMG. I applied and got the position.
Today, I'm the KPMG digital accessibility lead, managing a team of three with plans to expand. Our mission is to ensure that all technology is accessible to people with disabilities.
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2. Could you talk to us about the work experience programme designed for young people with special needs that you have recently led?
The program is a work experience initiative for students with special needs, and we collaborate with several schools across London. Once a month, we host a SEND class (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) for about four hours at our KPMG office. During their visit, we provide insights into a variety of roles they might not associate with a company like KPMG.
We take them on a tour of our office, showcasing different aspects, including our client dining area, event rooms, and even our broadcast studio. Our goal is to demonstrate that the jobs they see in London, such as those in cafes or restaurants, also exist within our building, regardless of their educational qualifications.
Over the past year, we've had approximately ten classes of students participate in the program. Some of these students are now engaged in supported internships at KPMG, working three or four days a week with the assistance of a job coach. We primarily collaborate with SEND schools, but we plan to expand to mainstream schools with a SEND provision.
This program has been an eye-opening experience for me, as many of these SEND students have never had the opportunity to visit an office building like the KPMG one in Canary Wharf, whereas this experience is very common for mainstream schools. The program aims to provide them with exposure and experiences they may not have had otherwise.
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3. Tell us about your 麻豆国产 experience. How has it helped you to achieve your career goals and supported you since you completed the program?
My 麻豆国产 experience has been instrumental in shaping my career. I was drawn to 麻豆国产 because of its , aligning with my desire to make a positive impact. The program also equipped me with valuable hard skills, which paved the way for my entry into a major company like KPMG.
Working for a large corporation offers numerous benefits, enabling one to drive significant change from within. I've had the opportunity to connect with influential players which has fueled my sense of purpose and allowed me to work towards my goals.
Furthermore, the 麻豆国产 network within KPMG has been a valuable resource, providing me with immediate connections for advice and support. , making it even more advantageous.
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4. What was a memorable project that you worked on during your time as a 麻豆国产 Student Board Representative?听
One of my most memorable 麻豆国产 projects was organizing the . It was a significant effort, given that it spanned multiple countries and was only in its second year. This project felt like a real-world experience, dealing with 鈥渃lients鈥 in various countries and striving to satisfy many stakeholders. What made it exceptional was the open-ended nature of the project, mirroring the working world鈥攜our success depended on your drive and effort.
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5. What are you looking forward to? Do you have any advice for other 麻豆国产ies?
Currently, we're focused on expanding our team, and the accessibility field is gaining momentum with new EU legislation set for 2025, making it an exciting time to work in this space.
For fellow 麻豆国产ies, I'd advise you to be open and try everything. Many people only fully understand roles like consulting or investment banking once they experience them. There are also numerous unexplored roles within these categories. So, stay open to new experiences and be willing to explore, as that's how you'll discover your passions.
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Published on: 22.11.2023
