Aruna, Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering: Advize Career Interview

A dynamic career journey, beginning with tutoring and college leadership, led to a junior accountant role and ultimately a Business Strategy Analyst position at Emirates Flight Catering.

This role involves initiating finance process changes, digital transformations, and cost analysis, demanding strong communication, analytical skills, and proficiency in tools like Excel and PowerPoint.

A fast-paced, project-based environment requires adaptability and excellent time management, though the autonomy to create and implement projects is highly rewarding.

The air transport and hospitality industries' dynamism, coupled with opportunities for collaboration and professional development, are highlighted as significant career benefits.

A key lesson learned is the importance of continuous learning, demonstrated through pursuing a CPA and MBA, and the value of internships and extracurricular activities in building professional skills and confidence.

Navigating challenges as a woman of color, the interviewee emphasizes proactive networking, exceeding expectations, and the significance of seeking external certifications to enhance career progression.

Entry-level positions in accounting, supply chain, and other related fields are readily available, offering a pathway to this exciting and rewarding career.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Aruna Narayanan

Business Strategy Analyst

Emirates Flight Catering

Heriot-Watt University, 2016

UCLA Anderson, MBA 2024

Finance

Hospitality & Restaurants

Business Strategy

International Student, Took Out Loans

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Career Path of a Junior Accountant at Prudential

Aruna's career path began with tutoring in "math, finance, accounting," and captaining the college table tennis team, demonstrating early leadership skills. This led to a junior accountant role at Prudential, working with small and vegan businesses, providing valuable experience before their current position as a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering.

Career Path of a Junior Accountant at Prudential

Main Responsibilities of a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering

Aruna's main responsibilities as a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering include recommending and initiating finance process changes, "digital transformations of data presented to c-suite executives," and analyzing cost drivers to suggest efficiencies and business diversification opportunities. This demonstrates a strong focus on both financial performance and strategic growth within the food catering industry.

Main Responsibilities of a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering

A Day in the Life of a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering

Aruna's day as a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering is highly variable due to the project-based nature of the work, involving "200 to 300 emails a day" and constant review of cost sheets alongside market research, inter-departmental meetings, and slide deck creation. A daily 7am team meeting with the assistant vice president sets the agenda, highlighting a fast-paced and demanding yet dynamic career.

A Day in the Life of a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering

Most Important Skills For A Business Strategy Analyst At Emirates Flight Catering

For a Business Strategy Analyst, strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills are essential for navigating interactions with many departments, complemented by analytical and critical thinking abilities to optimize business processes. Further, self-motivation and proficiency in tools like Excel and PowerPoint are vital for independent task management and effective communication of findings.

Most Important Skills For A Business Strategy Analyst At Emirates Flight Catering

Favorite Parts of Being a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering

Aruna enjoys the "autonomy to initiate [their] own projects," finding fulfillment in improving processes, managing their schedule, and creatively developing solutions; this role also allowed for collaboration, building relationships across various departments through meetings and interviews.

Favorite Parts of Being a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering

Aruna's biggest challenge as a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering is the unpredictable nature of the role, with "every day so different," leading to time management difficulties and projects "jammed towards the end of the deadline." Further complicating matters was supervising a misaligned team, although a demanding boss was noted as a more individual experience.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Airline Catering Industry As A Business Strategy Analyst

Aruna, a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering, enjoys the "dynamism" of the air transport and hospitality industries, adapting to "seasonality, holidays, [and] large-scale events." The opportunity to sample "delicious dishes" prepared by international chefs is also a significant perk of their role.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Airline Catering Industry As A Business Strategy Analyst

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Flight Catering Industry, According To A Business Strategy Analyst At Emirates Flight Catering

To thrive in the business strategy analyst field at Emirates Flight Catering, individuals should be "driven to initiate new projects" and actively seek diverse experiences through rotations and collaborations across various teams. This proactive approach to learning different aspects of the business is key for success.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Flight Catering Industry, According To A Business Strategy Analyst At Emirates Flight Catering

What a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering wishes they had known before entering the catering industry

Aruna, a Business Strategy Analyst, wishes they had known to be "more tactical about promotions," proactively networking across teams for better career progression. Beyond this, Aruna emphasizes the importance of strong professional relationships and pursuing external certifications to complement on-the-job learning, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the industry as demonstrated by the pandemic's impact.

What a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering wishes they had known before entering the catering industry

Entry-level positions for aspiring Business Strategy Analysts at Emirates Flight Catering

Aruna, a Business Strategy Analyst at Emirates Flight Catering, shared that entry-level roles for undergraduate students in this field include "assistant accountant," along with positions in supply chain, procurement, digital marketing, customer service, and human resources. This directly reflects Aruna's own career path, starting as "an assistant accountant in different Finance teams."

Entry-level positions for aspiring Business Strategy Analysts at Emirates Flight Catering

Significant Career Lesson From A Business Strategy Analyst At Emirates Flight Catering

Aruna's significant career lesson is to "never stop learning," as demonstrated by pursuing a CPA while working, leading to promotions and a deeper understanding of business processes. This continuous learning, now including an MBA, facilitated a career shift into consulting, opening "a pathway that would never have been possible previously" with increased pay and new opportunities.

Significant Career Lesson From A Business Strategy Analyst At Emirates Flight Catering

College Experiences That Helped A Business Strategy Analyst At Emirates Flight Catering Succeed

Aruna, a Business Strategy Analyst, emphasizes the importance of internships, stating, "I should have taken the time to do a lot more internships," while also highlighting the significant role extracurricular activities and community involvement played in building confidence, communication skills, and relationships—all crucial for career success.

College Experiences That Helped A Business Strategy Analyst At Emirates Flight Catering Succeed

How Identity Influenced A Business Strategy Analyst's Career At Emirates Flight Catering

Aruna's experience as a woman of color has involved instances where "voice was not heard," leading to a proactive approach of exceeding expectations to gain equal respect; however, a move from the Middle East to the U.S. revealed a significant shift, with MBA programs offering "so many more opportunities to shine," ultimately facilitating a career transition into consulting.

How Identity Influenced A Business Strategy Analyst's Career At Emirates Flight Catering

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aruna-narayanan-vn/