Kevin is a Business Management graduate from the University of West Scotland. He secured a Technology Risk Assurance Trainee graduate role at BDO UK through Bright Network and is currently in his three year in the role. 
First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
“I love supporting students, which is why I actively welcome new graduates to my team and help organise onboarding events and activities. My dedication to student support began during my university years, where I supported thousands of international students in making informed decisions about studying in the UK.
As a passionate advocate for student issues, I have held leadership positions such as Course Rep, NUS Delegate, and Vice President of my student union. These experiences have shaped who I am and the type of organisation I want to work for.”
What motivated you to apply for the role?
“I was motivated to apply for the Technology Risk Assurance Graduate programme at BDO because it offered the chance to gain IT skills and certifications alongside an Accounting qualification. The idea of becoming a versatile professional who can bridge the gap between IT and Finance by the end of the three-year traineeship really appealed to me.”
How did Bright Network help you secure your role?
“I initially saw the role advertised on Bright Network. I then used the deadline tracker to make sure I applied on time and used resources on the site to support my job hunt.”
What was your application journey like?
“My application journey had its ups and downs. What kept me going was reminding myself that I only needed one offer. As an international student, I knew I had to cast my net wide but with a clear focus.
I applied to roles that matched my skills and aspirations, and I was proactive in checking visa sponsorship opportunities. I didn't hesitate to reach out to recruitment teams and was pleasantly surprised by how approachable and supportive they were.
One tip I found useful was to play to my strengths. For instance, cover letters were not my strong suit and took me a lot of time. So, I started applying to companies that don't require one in the first stages.”
What are you most proud of about your journey?
“I am most proud about how much I have developed in the IT risk space. I have a business degree with no modules related to IT, yet I work in Technology Risk Assurance. Here, I assess software change management procedures, cyber security controls, and document our understanding of a company's IT environment. Initially, I had no idea what these terms meant and was intimidated by IT jargon in meetings, but by being honest about my level of understanding, asking well-thought-out questions and taking training seriously, I was able to build my confidence in my role."
"A career in Audit involves a lot of training, and you need to balance work, studies, and personal life. This was quite challenging for me, but seeking support, taking advice, and using available resources made things much easier. It feels great to be surrounded by people who want to support you and see you succeed, and this has helped me navigate through this challenging phase. So, I encourage you to reach out for help, whatever situation you are in.”
What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
“The best advice I received was from a peer who said – "You don't need to know what you want to do before you start applying for graduate programmes. Just do it!"
This was important because we often want to have everything figured out, but sometimes learning as you go is a good idea. I was surprised by the number of jobs and professions I had never heard of. Each role I saw got me closer to where I wanted to be. So, if you're unsure, think broadly about what might interest you, explore what's available and apply sooner!
One thing I would do differently is start the applications and engage with the industry early. I attended several virtual insight events organised by Bright Network and used the resources on their website, but doing these earlier would have made me more confident sooner. Nevertheless, the best time to start is today and be inspired by other candidates not intimidated.”
Tell us about the future. What’s next?
“I am now in my third year of training and look forward to becoming qualified, progressing to a more managerial role, and achieving a boost in income to meet my financial goals.
As I advance to senior positions within my team at BDO, I will have the opportunity to develop my project management skills and support junior colleagues on their journeys. This excites me because I have received great support from managers on projects and learned a lot from them, so I can't wait to do the same for others.”
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