Serena Sinclair Q&A C

Questions

Q :Thanks so much for sharing Serena! How did you find the transition back to school after completing your internship?Were there any specific challenges you faced or oppositely, some positive things you gained from your internship that helped you to be a better student?

A: Great question! I found the transition to be very smooth. I thought finding new roommates would be difficult, since a lot of the students I knew had already graduated, however, this was made easy with the Housing Facebook group. During my internship, I realized that a lot of what I learned in the classroom, I was able to use in the workplace. Therefore I would say that this made me a better student as I was genuinely interested in the material and much more engaged.

I also found that I had developed a stronger work ethic and focus overall which resulted in my best performing year where I received my highest GPA. Interestingly my friends who also did an internship had a similar experience and have the same opinions regarding their transition back to University.

Q:Hi Serena! I'm actually in my last year of Computer Engineering, and am also entering consulting :) Sometimes I feel as though there is a connotation about consulting that it is 100% business, and non-technical. I love my Computer Engineering background, and definitely don't want to leave tech behind! So, what advice would you give to someone entering consulting who wants to stay in touch with their technical skills?

A: Congratulations! I was also concerned about losing my technical skills so I understand that it can be difficult when choosing which field. I would recommend looking into a technology related line of consulting where you’ll be using your technical skills. Also, since consulting projects vary so widely, you’ll most likely be picking up new skills from project to project! If you’re not going into a technology related field, I would suggest starting your own internal initiatives. For example, I’ve worked on implementing a chatbot that has helped the team not miss important notifications and work more efficiently. You could also look into getting certificates (ex: AWS, Azure, CCNA, CISSP etc.) or get involved in open source projects.

Q:Hi Serena! Loved this post. I know you mentioned you are very grateful that you went on internship and I'm currently in my third year trying to decide if I should go on internship next year! I was wondering if you found the transition back to school difficult after your internship year?

A: I’m glad you liked the post! Perhaps I’m biased, but I would definitely encourage you to go for it if this is something you are considering. I found the transition back to University to be very smooth and I actually excelled as a student once I returned using the new skills I had learnt. My friends who also did an internship had a similar experience and found they had become better students and would also recommend anyone to go for it. 

Q:Hey Serena! Fantastic Post! I was wondering what signs you noticed in consulting for PwC Canada that made you confident that the change in career trajectory was the right decision? Did you have a 'gut feeling' or were there specific elements that your current team took, that made you feel like it was a good fit? Thank you!

A: Thank you for the question! I’m glad you liked the post. I initially became interested after speaking to a graduate from Queen’s during a networking event. During the interview process with PwC is when I started feeling confident that I would be a good fit. I really liked everyone I met from the team and the overall sense of the culture I got from the firm. I would say to some degree it was a gut feeling also. A piece of advice I can offer when accepting an offer is to go to networking events with the company. You can best determine if you would be a good fit if you spend time with the people.

Q:Hi Serena! I really enjoyed your blog post. Obviously, recruiting can be a very challenging and stressful process. How was your experience recruiting for jobs? Do you have any advice for finding jobs after graduating? How do you implement self-care into your day-to-day routine, while working from home? 

A: Thank you for the question and I understand how daunting and overwhelming applying to a new role can be. I strongly recommend starting early and seeking help from some of the available resources on campus, for example if you’re struggling to write a resume, cover letter etc, it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion. Also, there is a job posting page geared towards Queen’s students. I would suggest applying to postings on there first, as they’re more targeted and some even have a special link for Queen’s students to apply, which’ll give you a higher chance of landing an interview. These are some of the steps I took to ensure I was successful when applying.

Some steps I take to incorporate self-care into my routine is through daily exercise. Going to the gym was a part of my regular routine as a student and really helped my stress levels and actually made me feel more energized and focused for work. However, self-care is very personal so what works for me may not work for you, but it’s important to find some time during the day to relax and do something you enjoy such as going for a walk or reading a book. 

Q:Hey Serena! Great post! Thanks so much for sharing! I like your advice about not limiting yourself to specific careers or clubs, etc. I see you changed your mind from being in the technical field to consulting when you were in the application process for jobs. Did you change your mind on your career path before that? Or were you always decided on something in the tech industry? As well, how do you think what you learned in your Computer Engineering degree as helped you with your new job? Thanks again for the time you put into this post! :)

A: Thank you for your question and I'm happy you liked the post. I became more open to other career fields after talking to one of my friends who went on a Consulting internship. This is the reason I applied to PwC Canada and I’m very glad I did! Once I met the team, I knew I wanted to be with the firm.Since I’m in Cybersecurity Consulting, I get to use my technical Computer Engineering skills daily. However, I have Computer Engineering friends who went on to pursue Management Consulting and tell me that their analytical skill is their biggest asset.

Q:Hi Serena! It must have been interesting starting a full time job amidst a pandemic -  what is your favourite part of your work from home routine that you would have never been able to have in an office setting? Do you feel that you have less access to resources if you are struggling with a technical task without the office environment?

A: Very insightful question! I love that I have a full office setup in my apartment. This designated working space keeps me productive at any time of the day. This has really helped me focus on urgent tasks during the day and to leave tasks that take more time and focus for when I have time later on during the day. Although working from home allows me the flexibility to work at a time that suits me, I would say my favourite part is my unlimited access to snacks.

One of the biggest perks of working in a technology related field is that you have the option of being remote while maintaining full productivity through the firm’s digital resources. When I need support on new tasks, it’s very easy to set up a video call with a colleague and get an issue resolved.

Q:Great post Serena! What is your favourite part of your job?

A: Thank you for the question! My favourite part of my position with PwC Canada would be the variety of projects. There are lots of opportunities to learn about new technologies and acquire new skills. Also, I love the fast paced environment where you get to see your work come to fruition quickly!