How mentoring helped one of our students secure a graduate role at BDO

Anish

We take great pride in creating meaningful connections between our students, donors and alumni. Mentoring plays a key role in this, as it shapes the careers of our students, especially during their transition from university to the workplace.

Today, we are excited to share the inspiring success story of Anish, a recent graduate in Business and Finance Management, and his mentor, Keven Parker, Joint Managing Partner at NorthEdge Private Equity. Over the past year, their mentoring relationship has flourished, playing a crucial role in helping Anish secure a graduate position at BDO. Reflecting on his experience, Anish stated, “The mentorship was instrumental in helping me land a graduate role at BDO, one of the leading financial services firms.”

Their mentoring journey began when Anish first enquired about career pathways and opportunities in finance. Anish and Keven arranged an in-person visit to the NorthEdge Capital office, which was critical in setting the foundation for their mentor-mentee relationship. This initial engagement gave Anish the chance to outline his career goals while receiving valuable advice from someone with a wealth of experience in the finance sector.

Throughout the year, Keven and Anish met regularly in various settings, including Keven’s office, coffee shops and the university. These interactions provided more than just career advice, they formed an ongoing support system that helped Anish develop a deeper understanding of the industry.

One of the key lessons Anish learned was the importance of taking ownership of his career. “While Keven was a great source of support, I also made it a point to apply independently to various firms and develop my skills. During this time, I worked as a Data Analyst in pensions at a top consultancy firm, demonstrating my commitment to building a strong foundation for my career,” Anish explained.

As the mentorship progressed, Keven offered Anish a paid opportunity to work at NorthEdge. This marked a major turning point in Anish’s career, as he was able to attend committee meetings and actively participate in the daily operations. “The hands-on experience I gained was invaluable in understanding the intricacies of the finance industry and further solidified my career aspirations,” Anish said.

Thanks to the support, guidance and real-world experience he gained through Keven’s mentorship, Anish secured a graduate role in Audit at BDO, the fifth largest financial services firm in the world. This achievement shows the effectiveness of mentoring programmes in preparing students for successful careers in finance.

Both Keven and Anish gained valuable insights into how mentoring can effectively support students as they prepare for their first professional role. Keven expressed his pride in Anish’s accomplishment, stating, “I’ve really enjoyed mentoring Anish through his final year at Salford, and I’m delighted he has secured a fantastic graduate role with BDO. We’ve both learned a great deal about providing support to students as they approach their first role after graduation. I wish him all the very best as he starts his career – I’m confident he is well set to succeed.”

We want to extend a huge thank you to Keven for his dedication to supporting Anish. We are confident that this mentorship model can serve as a blueprint for supporting future graduates as they transition from university to the working world. We look forward to continuing our successful mentoring programme and welcoming more students to participate in this unique initiative in the future.