Eleni Liassou

Interview

Why did you choose to study at Newcastle University Business School?

It was the good things I heard about the University, as well as the city being a very friendly and affordable student city. I even liked how they offered virtual open days at the time, as I was in Cyprus and could not come in person, These were very informative about what they offered, and they answered all my questions. I also liked the way the course was structured.

The School was also one of the few universities to offer home fees to EU students in the form of a 50% scholarship on international fees.

What has your career journey been like since you graduated?

I am now on a three year graduate programme where in the first year I along with others are completing the majority of the exams that are necessary to gain the ACA qualification. Therefore, in a way, I am mostly a student for the first year and then will be working on clients from the second year of the programme and completing the final exams in the third year.

How did the School prepare you for your current role?

It really helped me to learn how to effectively work as part of a team. There were a lot of opportunities to work and prepare group assignments. I find that I use these skills quite a lot now. It also prepared me in terms of knowing how to go about managing my time effectively. Furthermore, a lot of the events run by the Business School, as well as working as a Business Ambassador, taught me the importance of networking and being open to talking and meeting people, which is something I see quite a lot now in my role as well.

As per how the course has prepared me, it has given me the base for many of the exams I am completing this year through what was taught in the different modules as well as exam style techniques I managed to develop over the years.

What is your biggest achievement in your career so far?

My greatest achievement so far has been securing my role with KPMG. I am very happy and grateful to have managed to get to where I am today.

What are your future aspirations? 

My goal is to gain the ACA qualification at the end of my three-year programme with KPMG and then move up the ladder within the company as I gain more experience and work with clients across different industries.

Do you have any advice for prospective students?

First, enjoy your time at university as time really does go by very quickly! I'd also say:

• apply to become a Business Ambassador - it's a lot of fun and you gain valuable experience while meeting new students and working with others as well
• join societies as there are so many and it's a great way to pass free time while meeting new people and making connections
• make use of the Career Service to help with preparing for interviews or applying for jobs
• don’t be afraid to ask questions
• don’t leave it too late when applying to graduate programmes. Make sure to check when applications open and close
• make use of the free language classes available at the Language Resource Centre. You get extra credits, and it is a good way to meet new people while learning a new language

What is your key takeaway from your time at the School?

That it is a really good school with great lecturers who are always willing to help. It provides a variety of resources to help you develop useful skills and guide you in the right direction. It has provided me with the best three years of my life so far!