Tom Cullen
2017 Banking and Finance MSc graduate Tom is co-founder of social polling app Zoplo in London, UK.
Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?
I worked in Sales on the trading floor for Barclays Investment Bank. There are a lot of divisions in the investment bank. I worked in global markets and focused on a niche part which was selling algorithms on financial derivatives. I had to get conversations with heads of trading and teach them about our product and how the product can help them. You get involved with a lot of different projects working for a large investment bank. I’m now taking a break and travelling around the world.
Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?
Yes and no. I knew I wanted to work in financial markets for an investment bank but there are so many niche parts that I didn’t know which team I wanted to be in.
What was your favourite thing about your course?
People – university can be stressful but when you have good people, it makes the stressful periods easier. I met people that were similar, but also different to me, and that really opened my eyes.
Were you involved in any extra-curricular activities during your time here?
I believe extracurriculars are the most important part of university life. There is no other time or place in your life when you will have a platform to experience such a wide variety of activities. I founded Newcastle University Investment Society and took it to third largest society in second year of being president. I also founded NCL Capital Partners – Newcastle University’s student managed fund - which had 100 students involved in its second year.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
If I knew that, it would ruin the surprise of life.
How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?
There’s a difference between buzz and reality of technology. Large institutions will be investing in new technologies but on the other hand, they will have the legacy and experience in previous ways of work. The pace of doing things is limited by the big players in the sector. Start-ups can afford to get it wrong but large institutions cannot and therefore, it is naturally slow moving because of this.
What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?
Networking is important. Don’t be afraid to use LinkedIn and speak to people in the industry. It’s a small world. 99% of people will be happy to have a conversation with you but make sure to do your research beforehand. You have to use someone’s time wisely.
"University is about developing you as a character and giving you a platform to decide who you want to be. What is important is you getting a better idea of who you are as a person and the type of character that you are."
(This Q&A was originally conducted in 2021.)