Tell us about your career since studying with us.
After finishing my MSc at LSE I joined a technology startup called Onfido in a graduate role within the Operations team. The company was under 50 employees at the time and headquartered in London. I have been lucky since joining to have had the opportunity to lead a team and head up a department within the team. In total I have spent nearly a decade at the company as we have scaled to over 500 people.
How do you apply anthropology to your work?
I have been able to apply the soft skills learnt through studying anthropology in my work such as making sense of uncommon situations and being able to coherently tell a story to different audiences. Furthermore studying anthropology has provided me with a global outlook which has helped with technology that has a worldwide reach.
Could you tell us about the technology company you work for and what you enjoy most about working in this sector?
The company I work for is called Onfido which was acquired by Entrust earlier this year. Our technology enables companies to securely and accurately verify their customers’ identities remotely. What I enjoy most about this sector is having the privilege to work with lots of very talented and smart people who are setting the foundations of an industry. We are building the technology of the future which is making people’s lives better and easier.
What are some important lessons you’ve learnt during your career?
Some important lessons I’ve learnt throughout my career are:
- Be resilient in the face of adversity. You will face obstacles and challenges throughout your career but you’ll only fail if you give up.
- Ensure you are always learning. This can be through developing your skills and knowledge on your own as well as from others.
- Communicate clearly and openly. Taking responsibility to make sure people understand is difficult but rewarding.
- Try to have fun! You spent most your week working so you want to be doing something which excites you.
What advice would you give students who want to find similar roles?
Do your research to really understand what the company does and what value you can provide in the role. Learn about the industry and market trends within it.