College Experiences That Helped a Risk and Compliance Manager at Google Succeed
Aditya's success stemmed from strategically planning a career path, "identifying what was necessary...and following those steps," including strong academics and extensive networking, particularly within the accounting association. Beyond academics, Aditya emphasized the importance of developing social skills and diverse interests, noting that "developing those social skills...is crucially important" for both professional and personal fulfillment, impacting career trajectory and adaptability.
Networking, Academic Excellence, Career Planning, Social Skills, Adaptability
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Aditya Ravikumar
Risk & Compliance Manager
UC Irvine, 2014
UCLA Andersson, MBA (in progress)
Economics
Technology
Legal
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Maintain a strong GPA and take relevant coursework.
2. Network extensively with professionals in your field of interest.
3. Develop strong social skills and build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I would say it was two things. One was identifying what was necessary to get into the big four pathway early on and following those steps.
This involved meeting the GPA requirement, ensuring I got the necessary grades, and taking classes to build my accounting knowledge. Networking was also huge.
To get my internship at PwC, I had to meet many people from the firm and make a good impression to get through their recruiting process and secure the offer. During the internship, I continued to build my network and perform well to land a full-time role.
Beyond standard academics, clubs can help you progress toward your goals. I was part of the accounting association in college, which was helpful for networking and learning about the recruiting process.
Another significant factor for me in college was learning social skills and building good relationships. Many people in my network engage on a personal or social basis, which is critical for professional success.
You can't work all the time; you need a balance. Developing other interests, meeting people with similar interests, and learning about their backgrounds and experiences broadens your perspective.
These social skills are also crucial in a professional context. Even at work, you'll talk about things outside of your job with colleagues. Developing how to interact with people is therefore very important.
During your undergraduate studies, focus on school and figuring out your post-grad plans. However, accept that your first job likely won't be your last, and it may not be in your long-term career industry or function.
At some level, you have to do the work to see if you truly enjoy it. It's important to get an idea of what you want to do while also building relationships and knowledge to explore other areas if needed.