BearingPoint\u2019s Laura Kealy explores how she found herself moving from an early-career role to a position as a senior tech analyst. <\/p>\n
Donegal-native Laura Kealy found her secondary education abruptly interrupted in 2020 with the onset of the global pandemic. From there she went on to study\u00a0 management science and information systems studies at Trinity College Dublin before undertaking a graduate programme at management and tech consulting firm BearingPoint.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaths and business were my favourite subjects in school, which led me to pursue a degree that combined both subjects alongside technology. While I enjoyed the technical side of my studies, I also knew I wanted a career that involved working closely with people and helping to solve real-world problems\u201d, Kealy told SiliconRepublic.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She explained that BearingPoint stood out to her after interacting with future team members at a college careers fair. Kealy said, \u201cEveryone I spoke to was welcoming, genuine and passionate about what they did, which gave me a great impression of the company culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
Can you describe a typical day in your role?\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the variety. A typical day might involve meeting with clients to understand their requirements, collaborating with my teammates to solve technical challenges and then carrying out hands-on work such as analysing data in Power BI, writing PowerShell scripts, or creating project documentation.<\/p>\n
I also enjoy the collaborative aspect of the work I do. Whether it\u2019s working with teammates or engaging directly with clients, there\u2019s always an opportunity to learn from others. I have been fortunate to work with people who are always willing to share their knowledge and help me develop my skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Did your responsibilities and workload change as the programme progressed?\u00a0<\/p>\n
At BearingPoint, I\u2019ve always been encouraged to learn through hands-on experience and client-facing work. Being part of a small team meant I was trusted early on with responsibilities and given opportunities to make an impact, while still having the support of my colleagues around me. As I\u2019ve grown more confident in my role, my workload and responsibilities have naturally increased, progressing from supporting project activities to leading key client deliverables. I\u2019ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at all levels of the organisation, from fellow graduates right through to directors and partners. Working with people from different backgrounds and experiences has taught me new ways of thinking and approaching challenges.<\/p>\n
What skills have you developed since being part of the company\u2019s programme?<\/p>\n
My technical knowledge has grown significantly through hands-on project work, particularly in areas such as AI, data analysis, and Microsoft technologies. I have had great opportunities to continue learning through certifications, training and knowledge sharing from colleagues.<\/p>\n
I have also developed my communication and consulting skills. I\u2019ve become much more confident communicating with different audiences, whether that\u2019s providing updates to my team, presenting to clients or explaining technical concepts to people from a non-technical background. Learning how to adapt my communication style to different audiences has been one of the most valuable skills I\u2019ve gained throughout the programme and one that I use every day.<\/p>\n
What have been the most challenging parts of working life since taking up this programme?<\/p>\n
One of the most challenging aspects of my role has been keeping up with the pace of change in technology, particularly with the rapid evolution of AI. Working in this space means continuously learning, especially when you\u2019re helping clients understand how these technologies can be used effectively within their organisations.<\/p>\n
What started as a challenge has become something I now really enjoy. Whether it is writing a simple prompt to Copilot or building an advanced AI agent that can complete tasks on your behalf, AI is constantly evolving and there\u2019s always something new to learn and experiment with. It\u2019s also been rewarding to share what I\u2019ve learned with others and help build confidence in using these tools across different teams and projects.<\/p>\n
Would you recommend the graduate programme at this company to others?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I would definitely recommend the graduate programme at BearingPoint. The combination of challenging work, learning opportunities and a genuinely supportive culture has made it a great place to start my career. I have had the opportunity to work on large-scale projects, learn from experienced colleagues and develop both technically and professionally. I really enjoy the strong social aspect of the office, with everything from sports and social events to charity initiatives. Those experiences have made it easy to build relationships and have been a really important part of my time here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What advice would you like to give to future graduates who are just starting out?<\/p>\n
My advice would be to say yes to opportunities, even if they\u2019re outside your comfort zone. This applies to projectwork, but some of the experiences I\u2019ve learned the most from weren\u2019t necessarily part of my day-to-day role. Getting involved in different teams, initiatives and events has really helped me develop new skills, build confidence and form great connections across the organisation.<\/p>\n