First class Finance graduate has big corporate ambitions

Stephen Adeoye has his eyes on becoming a high flying CEO in the future after securing a first class honours degree and a full time job at a globally recognised brand.

Stephen, 21 from Peckham, secured an impressive job on the day of his final exam with US-based financial services company, First Data, as a corporate analyst for their Europe, Middle East and Africa compliance team.

A recent graduate in BSc Banking and Finance at the University of Northampton, Stephen was determined to make all his hard work count with a job in his chosen field.

Stephen said: “I originally wanted to study economics at another university, however I did not get in because I did not achieve the grades required. I knew I wanted to study a subject that involved finance and I wanted a degree that was going to translate into a prosperous career financially, so I was delighted to be accepted to study banking and financial planning at the University of Northampton.

“I started applying for jobs as soon as I began my third year, as I had been warned by one of my friends who had graduated that it can be difficult to secure the job you want after graduating.

“I went to one of the career advisors at the University, who gave me a template to tailor my CV into a skills-based resume. I applied for at least one job every day, mainly finance graduate schemes.”

The journey to landing his first job was not an easy one. As with most job-hunters, Stephen had to overcome a few disappointments along the way.

He added: “I had a lot of video interviews, but I was never successful when it came to the face to face interview. Eventually I landed a phone interview with First Data and I was invited to an open day to network with hiring managers and see what positions intrigued me.

“A few days later I was invited to the site for an interview with the hiring manager of EMEA compliance.

“On the day of the interview I presented my power point in front of three managers and was asked a range of questions. A few days later, I received a call that I had got the job.”

Stephen credits his tutors at the University for helping him achieve this success.

He said: “My mentor, Tambudzai Mangezi, the Head of Accounting and Finance at the University reassured me that I would do well, and she really believed in me which helped ease any doubts I had about not achieving a first class.”

As he looks towards the future, Stephen has his eyes firmly set on major corporate success, he added: “My long-term goal is to be part of a board as a chief control officer and eventually become a CEO for a reputable organisation. It is a very ambitious goal and right now I honestly know very little in my field, so over the next few years I aim to soak up as much information as possible and become a walking encyclopaedia on compliance, which will hopefully set me on the road to a successful career.”