Building a personalized career at EY

Upon finishing his Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Logan Shanmuganathan geared up to search for an organization that could offer a fast-track journey and platform to build an exceptional career from the outset. Upon learning that EY could offer him just that, he did not hesitate to make the switch from Engineering to Audit.  Here, he shares with us how EY empowers him to be in the driver’s seat of his own professional journey.

Building a non-traditional career path at EY

I have a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Manchester and I am currently working towards my Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification through the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Presently in EY, I am part of the Audit team that services public listed entities in the plantation and oil and gas sectors.

I discovered EY Assurance during my final year in university, while assessing career options relevant to my field of study and after consultations with my seniors who had just graduated.  I learnt that the skills that you develop as an auditor can set you up for virtually any career path as it is a dynamic profession. With sufficient experience in audit, there would be plenty of opportunities for advancement into higher-level management roles, both within the public and private sectors. This intrigued me because it was aligned to my career goal of progressing up the corporate ladder into a management position that would allow me to lead a team. That was when I decided to explore auditing as a career option, despite coming from a STEM* background.

*STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Development, support and coaching

When I first joined EY, I was provided with internal and external learnings to equip me with the fundamentals of accounting. The learning support helped me better understand my role in Assurance and be more efficient in carrying out my duties.

On top of that, EY also offered me financial support by sponsoring my ICAEW fees and provided me with paid study leave before each exam.  EY also connected me to a few senior colleagues who had completed their ICAEW exams to coach me. My assigned counselor in EY has been supportive of me since day one, ensuring my wellbeing is looked after and my transition into the role was smooth. I attribute my success in the role I am in now to the growth and development support provided by EY.

Balancing studies and work expectations did come with its own set of challenges, but I can certainly vouch that having the right support has definitely helped motivate me to move forward and pursue my career goals.

Empowered by the EY culture

Diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace are core to what EY is as a professional services organization. The EY culture fosters an environment that sparks new ideas. During internal discussions, team leaders would consider various perspectives and angles from the entire team, resulting in new ideas and insights, and then translate these into practical solutions. I was always given equal opportunity to perform complex tasks and critical areas of an engagement, despite my non-accounting background. Over time, this has allowed me to develop technical excellence in increasingly complex tasks.

I also really love the flexible working arrangement that EY offers to its people, as it has allowed me to balance my professional duties and my personal commitments, like family responsibilities and social life outside work. We work longer hours during the busy season, but during off-peak periods, our teams in Assurance are given time off, like the “Recharge Week”, to switch off from work and simply rest and refresh.

Advice for those who are considering a non-traditional career path

If you are looking for a career that can bring value to both yourself and your clients, then EY is the best place to kickstart your journey. Working in EY provides you with ample opportunities to grow professionally and personally. It may be difficult at the beginning when you change your career path, but with all the support that EY provides, the transition process couldn’t be easier.

Do not be afraid of the challenges that you may face because the best way to learn and refine your skills is to experience and overcome the challenges and adversities. Ultimately, it is crucial to develop a growth mindset, as it is the key to achieving success, regardless of the field you are in.

A career as unique as you are.

It’s yours to build.