Hi Gerwyn

16 October, 2018 16:24

Hi Benji, just the man I wanted to talk to.

16 October, 2018 16:26

I studied physics at university before starting a job in IT risk assurance at another professional services firm. After being there for about 6 months I decided that my real passion lay working in advisory, rather than audit, so I left the company and joined Cyber Security here at EY

16 October, 2018 16:26

I'm studying for a Bsc (Hons) in Network Engineering (Cyber Security). I'm applying for IT Risk Assurance, is this the best route to Cyber Security Consulting?

16 October, 2018 16:27

The best route would be to apply directly for our Cyber Security graduate programme, though we do work closely with IT Risk Assurance on many of our projects

16 October, 2018 16:29

I'm in year 2, so my application is for summer school. Longer term Cyber Security. What are the most enjoyable and the least enjoyable aspects of your role?

16 October, 2018 16:30

If you are applying for our Summer Internship Programmes, then definitely apply for ITRA. A recent undergraduate was a made an offer to join the Cyber Security graduate programme after completing the ITRA internship

16 October, 2018 16:32

That's just what I wanted to hear, so I'm on the right track. What about your role?

16 October, 2018 16:33

The most enjoyable part of my role is getting to work with different clients and internal colleagues everyday, depending on your project. This keeps my role interesting as every few months you get to meet new people, use new skills, learn new things and travel to new locations.

The culture at EY is also really great, so even if you're not totally passionate about your project, coming into the office is still an enjoyable experience

16 October, 2018 16:34

Great answer

16 October, 2018 16:36

Something that not everyone finds enjoyable about working as a consultant is the travel.

16 October, 2018 16:36

Do you travel far?

16 October, 2018 16:36

It really depends on your project, but 99% of the time its within London or the UK.

16 October, 2018 16:37

So it's a national role. Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of your role?

16 October, 2018 16:37

Though there are multiple training events that take place throughout the year where EY pay for you to travel to more exotic locations like Rome or Amsterdam

16 October, 2018 16:37

Done Rome, not Amsterdam

16 October, 2018 16:38

They're both great fun!

16 October, 2018 16:38

Agreed. Can you tell me about your day-to-day?

16 October, 2018 16:39

To put it in perspective though, my first project which I was on for 5 months involved me travelling all over the UK to a different location each week. Whereas for the last 7 months I've been based at clients in London or an EY office.

Day to day I've been working a lot recently helping our banking clients improve their third-party security

16 October, 2018 16:39

So the role is varied?

16 October, 2018 16:40

Exactly. It's all project based work, and naturally no two projects are ever exactly the same

16 October, 2018 16:41

True. How do you see your role developing in the longer term?

16 October, 2018 16:41

Long term I'm personally interested in gaining more experience Cyber Resilience, which is a big topic our clients are currently focussing on. More generally though, as you progress you rapidly get given more responsibility and are expected to support colleagues in new ways while still adding value to our clients.

16 October, 2018 16:43

I like the sound of that! Thank you for your time, it's been great chatting with you.

16 October, 2018 16:43

My pleasure, and best of luck with the rest of your degree!

16 October, 2018 16:45

Lastly, any tips?

16 October, 2018 16:45

If you give me your email address I can have the transcript of this chat sent to you.

To prepare for the application process I would thoroughly research the role you are applying for, what EY is like as a company and our values, and practise as much as you can for the online tests

16 October, 2018 16:46

Gerwynm@hotmail.com. Many thanks Benji, you've been a star!

16 October, 2018 16:46

No problem Gerwyn. Good luck with your application!

16 October, 2018 16:47

And to you, with your career! Bye

16 October, 2018 16:47