| Personal details |
|---|
| Degree: | MSc Management and Information Technology |
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| School(s): | School of Management |
| Year of Graduation: | Nov-2010 |
| LinkedIn: | http://www.linkedin.com/pub/aditi-gargeya/49/1b9/798 |
| National of: | India |
| Employment details |
|---|
| Organisation: | Unilever |
| Job title: | IT Security & Risk Consultant |
| Occupational Sector: | IT/Computer Programming |
| What has been your route to getting your current position? |
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| In 2010, immediately after graduation from St.Andrews , I applied for an internship in a leading bank. After interning in a mobile phone migration project with the Bank's headquarters in London, I took up the role of an Analyst for Group Information Security. Working with the Communication and Awareness team has exposed me to several areas of Information Security. Wanting a change in the job, I took up the Information Security job search more seriously. My good track record at the Bank helped my colleagues identify my potential and refer me to a more serious job at Unilever. My interviews went on well and I was offered this job in the UK. |
| What does your job involve ? |
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| During my tenure, I have handled teams and reinforced best practices in security. I had the opportunity to manage information security teams around the world and provide support to all in-country Information Security Champions in 20 European and Asian countries. My role required handling confidential data and I communicated and drove information security awareness globally. At Unilever, my role required handling confidential data and I communicated and drove information security awareness globally. I have written a number of reports and handled presentations effectively. During my tenure at Unilever so far I have provided IT Risk services to ensure that systems delivered are secure by design and compliant with internal and external reference standards and security objectives. I also handle incidents and advice on remediation. |
| What are the best bits of your job ? |
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| I love how I am able to ensure that processes between the business and technology are smooth. Since I am motivated by responsibility, this role was a very good challenge. |
| Why were you successful? |
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- Take internships seriously.
- Never worry about the salary for the first two years. Let it not affect good opportunities when you are growing
- Always have a good rapport with vendors, consultants , ex colleagues, the receptionist or mailman . You never know who takes notice.
- Network Network Network!
- A mixture of hard and smart work!
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| What skills/ knowledge from your degree have you found particularly helpful in this role? |
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| My Management degree helped me more than my Computer degree did. I was able to apply some of the principles. While I strongly suggest that having a degree can get you through the door, in the real world, it helped only about 10-15% while on the job. However , the soft skills I learned while at University and having being exposed to the international space, St Andrews has taught me so much. |
| What advice would you give to students wishing to follow the same path? |
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| Unilever is extremely diverse in itself and hence mingling with colleagues was the easiest bit. It has been a wonderful experience so far. Working hours are 9-5 and I get weekends off. |
