对于经验丰富的专业人士

I studied Economics at the University of Exeter. I always liked maths and knew I wanted to pursue a career in finance. I was an economics tutor for first-year students in my free time. In my final year, I began teaching, solidifying my economics knowledge and building my confidence to lead a class of up to 20 students.
 
After/During University, I pursued internships in the investment banking sector. However, I didn’t enjoy the work-life balance and overly competitive environment. I prefer the supportive environment I found in the graduate programme at Smiths. I feel more valued as an employee, which has allowed me to gain significant experience in finance through shadowing and learning from several senior professionals in the business.
 
The graduate programme allowed me to rotate through finance departments in different divisions without sacrificing my values and time with those most important to me: family and friends.
 
Smiths allowed me to travel the world. I lived in Lutin in the Czech Republic while working for the John Crane division. My time there taught me a lot about Czech culture, from traditions to popular sports and food!
 
I also worked towards my ACCA professional accounting qualification. Completing this was a pivotal moment in my career. I won an ACCA affiliate prize and was awarded a bronze medal for achieving the third-highest mark worldwide in my exams! The supportive environment at Smiths allowed me to take days off to manage my studies comfortably, leading to worldwide recognition for my hard work.
 
My main advice to graduates is to find a good work-life balance to avoid burnout. Explore all your different opportunities in the finance world to discover what you enjoy doing, and always ask plenty of questions!

I have a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s in Management. My first job in Human Resources (HR) was a summer internship at a bank during High School. I was responsible for helping to recruit Tellers, testing administration and data management.  After college, I started work in a small private technology software company without an HR team. During my first few months, I made several suggestions for HR practices and the owner eventually asked me to serve as HR for the business.

I joined Smiths Interconnect in 2013 when I replied to an ad for a company called TRAK Microwave (now one of Smiths Interconnect’s technology brands), who was searching for a HR Manager. From there I rose through the ranks.

I enjoy working in HR as there is no such thing as a typical day. I meet with functional leaders to discuss priorities and challenges, as well as determine the appropriate solutions to drive our HR strategy forwards. I manage a team of HR professionals and we have daily interactions on topics spanning the employee life cycle, such as sourcing, talent development, employee relations and much more. I love the variety of my role and seeing the HR team positively impact Smiths Interconnect’s bottom line.

I was diagnosed with dyslexia late into my academic career. I have implemented techniques and strategies to manage my condition, and though it may take a bit longer to complete assignments, I push forward with tenacity. 

Representation matters. A pivotal moment in my career was having a Senior HR leader of colour mentoring me. She provided me with exposure, opportunities and critical feedback that has helped shaped my career today. I strive and encourage others to create communities and groups across our locations, where ideas and knowledge can be shared. We must commit to the long journey. I’ve seen many stops and starts, and we lose momentum with every restart.

To those interested in a career in HR, I recommend getting experience in organisations of different scope and size. In a small-scale business, you will likely practice all HR competences and support the full employee life cycle. In a larger company, you may be more specialised but can benefit from mature infrastructure, technology, and hopefully best practices.

My best advice? Trust your instincts. Take more risks. Make bold moves.

My Smiths journey began in September 2019 when I joined Smiths Interconnect as the Finance Manager for the newly established India entity. One of the most critical aspects of my job was to build the India Finance team, to ensure business meets the statutory and regulatory compliance requirements of Indian laws, financial planning, whilst also working closely with Sales & Marketing to scale the business and shape it towards profitable growth.

Smiths’ global presence and diversity were fundamental factors in drawing me to the company. The fact that my current role presented the chance to set up a business and team from scratch appealed to me, as well as the opportunity to work in a challenging and rewarding environment.

I joined Smiths with over ten years of experience at various financial institutions and an education in the same domain – I have an MBA (Finance Major) and am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA Finalist). My prior experience includes work with large corporations, multidisciplinary financial institutions, and engaging with growth stage startups.

My journey so far with Smiths has been exciting with many chapters yet to unfold. I discovered Smiths to be a rare combination of an exciting and challenging workplace, similar to that of a high growth startup, with the stability and values of a large company with a rich legacy. It exceeded my expectations by affording me the best of both worlds. Working with a very intelligent group of motivated colleagues, learning from teams and operations across the globe and contributing towards the success of the India operations – my time here has been very enjoyable.

Three words that describe my career would be learning, perseverance and action. I strongly believe in continuous learning, not quitting in the face of adversity and always having a strong inclination towards making things happen. In that sense, joining Smiths has been a very good career decision for me.

Looking at my career so far and drawing a 10-year roadmap into the future, I see Smiths playing a crucial role in shaping me as a professional, helping me discover my potential and presenting me with opportunities to add value.

After finishing school, I jumped straight in when it came to my career. At the age of 18, I joined the Royal Air Force as an Avionics Technician looking after airborne radar, communications and navigation systems. I held this position for 12 years.

During this time, I also studied towards an MSc in Engineering through The Open University, the UK's leading distance learning university. This gave me confidence and a sustained attitude of self-improvement that I still employ today.

Leaving the military, I took up a position as a Verification Engineer, where I found that my curiosity and aptitude for problem solving fittingly translated to me shifting my career to managing engineering projects.

Moving from being a Project Engineer to Project Manager Professional in 2017, I joined Smiths Interconnect’s Research, Development and Technology (RD&T) team. Working primarily with Aerospace, Defence and Space technologies, I have been part of a great team that has delivered both large and complex projects.

For me, the best part about being a project manager is the diversity of the opportunities and challenges we can find ourselves faced with. Within this role, I have exposure to all elements of the business, from Operations, RD&T and Finance, to Sales and Marketing. Understanding the unique scope for each project which I manage and determining its impact on each of the different business domains, ensures a variety of role that is both hard to match and thoroughly rewarding.

The products that we make here at Smiths Interconnect incorporate transformational technologies and the business environment is highly dynamic. With this, comes its own challenges and needs. Smiths Interconnect has been powerful in encouraging me to step up and be exposed to leadership engagement, which has provided a platform in which to break down barriers and provide clarity where there is ambiguity.

Any new member joining the team I’m part of, and the company, is quickly encouraged to share their ideas for process development and improvements, which has proved to be highly valuable to the business as we adapt to the ever-changing world needs.

I graduated with a university degree in physical measurement. My first job was a six-month contract as a lab assistant in 1979.

I found Smiths when I accepted a job offer to be a test laboratory technician in June of 1980. My tenure has seen the history of our brands. From FRB Connectron, SOFESA, Hypertax SA, Smiths Connectors, to the Smiths Interconnect of today, I’ve witnessed our evolution and shifting business challenges.

I’ve met every challenge thrown my way. In 1990 I had the most pivotal moment in my career, when I was asked to manage an inspection department. Today I manage the path of space products, from quality assurance to final inspection. 

My main advice for a career in my field is to show rigor in your work. Check that the customer’s requirements are met. Once checked, check again.

In the end, 42 years at Smiths has taught me to shoot for the moon with everything you do. I am planning to retire at the end of this year and know that the business will be left in good hands. I started my hand over last year and will continue to work with my team to ensure that our customers will be taken care of.

I have spent the majority of my career working for electronic component manufacturers, but my last seven years at Smiths Interconnect have felt different.

At Smiths Interconnect, I am constantly encouraged to keep learning and developing myself, which has helped me progress my career in the direction I would like to move. I started my current role as VP Sales EMEA in August 2020. It  is my seventh role at Smiths Interconnect in seven years.

In this role, my daily tasks include leading the EMEA sales team, managing key customer relationships, managing sales channels and customer communications and growing the business in the EMEA region.

I wasn’t always certain that sales would be the career path I would take. What I was certain of, however, was my interest in electronic components.

As a young boy, I loved to work with cables and connectors. I spent time DJing and making music as a hobby which was when my interest in electronics truly sparked. I’m certain that my affinity with music led me to a career in the interconnect market.

My first professional job was working as a mechanic, building moulding and stamping tools.

But after spending a few years in this role, I decided that I wanted to extend my education and my understanding of the theoretical side of Mechanical Engineering. Having already completed a three-year apprenticeship working as a mechanic, I now studied for a further two years to earn a qualification as a “Certified Mechanical Engineer”.

Once I had completed my studies, I started my new job as a Development Engineer in cable harnessing. Relatively quickly my manager noticed that I had a talent for working with people. Consequently, I received the opportunity to lead a small team manufacturing special cable assemblies. During this valuable period of my career I was in also in contact with Sales Engineers from our suppliers and our customers.

I then received a job offer from a leading interconnect company for a Field Sales Engineer role. I decided to jump on this opportunity to shift my career path slightly in what I knew would be a positive direction. I spent 20 years with this company, and over my time there I had the chance to shift my career path again, becoming a Key Account Manager before holding several management roles in Sales and Marketing. Being flexible, I also had the chance to get experience in Sourcing and Operations.

In April 2013, looking for further challenges, I started my career at Smiths Interconnect as ‘Sales Director Germany’ at our site in Deggendorf, covering sales in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe.

I found that career opportunities came along quickly and frequently for me at Smiths Interconnect.

I soon took over several additional regions beyond my original scope, and later took on Key Accounts and Markets as a responsibility in my role as ‘Global Key Account and Market Development Director’.

My advice to others is take the chance to develop your career whenever an opportunity arises and never give up.