Dani took part in the Chemistry Summer School at Imperial College London in 2019. Dani currently works as a Finance Analyst and is pursuing the ACA qualification. Dani shares more about his career path and how he overcame barriers in the Business and Consulting industry.

Tell us about your background and where you come from

I grew up in Scarborough (North Yorkshire) where I attended a state school, before going on to study Chemistry at the University of Oxford.

What was the highlight of your Sutton Trust programme?

I participated in the Chemistry summer school at Imperial College London in the summer of 2019. The highlight of my Sutton Trust programme was the opportunity to meet and connect with various current students and researchers, who offered me invaluable advice and genuine insights into the university application process.  I gained significant exposure to experimental techniques whilst working in the laboratory, which improved my confidence as I transitioned to university.

What do you do now and what are your plans for the future?

Currently, I work as a Finance Analyst at Accuracy, where I work on financial due diligence and valuation projects. While working on a project, a typical day involves a lot of Excel! I usually work on tasks such as analysis of data from a client, preparing tables and charts, or drafting short sections of a report. There are also opportunities to get involved with internal projects such as ESG, recruitment and planning social events. I am currently pursuing the ACA qualification, which is funded by my employer.

Could you tell us about your career journey to date?

I have been working since the age of around 14, in a various roles such as in a bakery, theatre and retail store. Working at part-time jobs grew my self-confidence and interpersonal skills much more than school ever could. I was always fascinated by how each business I worked in operated so differently, which initially motivated me towards a career related to business.

During university, I spent two summers working as an intern at a mid-sized accountancy firm specialising in the housing sector, which I discovered through my university careers portal. This was my first time working in an office environment, and gave me invaluable exposure to the professional services industry. I also did some work experience at a Big 4 accounting firm, where I shadowed the transaction services team for two days. These experiences led me to join Accuracy as a Finance Analyst after graduating in the summer of 2024.

Did you face any barriers in accessing your career – and how did you overcome these?

The main barrier I faced in my career was not knowing anyone personally who worked in business or finance, meaning I had not gained the awareness or exposure that many of my peers already had. It was up to me to seek out opportunities to gain that exposure, such as through social mobility programmes, attending online webinars/talks, and networking with people already in the industry. I think that a huge barrier to young people’s aspirations is that “you cannot be what you cannot see”. Young people need to know that these jobs actually exist, to aspire to them in the first place!

How has taking part in your Sutton Trust summer school programme impacted you?

I was moved by the Trust’s ongoing campaign for social mobility, which led me to join the Alumni Leadership Board for two years whilst at university. I hope to keep in touch with the Trust through volunteering during my career.

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