Tom Kennedy tells us how networking, skills and self-belief enabled him to set up on his own
Tom Kennedy graduated with a degree in Accounting & Finance in 2019 after previously being an apprentice and taking a placement as part of his degree. This meant he had lots of experience in the world of work before even graduating. His first post-university role was as a Trainee Paraplanner at KBA FS Ltd but he's now a self-employed Financial Planning Consultant and Sole Trader working with the Quilter network.
Tom's story shows how career planning, networking and natural tenacity can really pay off.
Where did you search for that first post-university role?
I started thinking about my first role in my second year, I'd previously had an apprenticeship in a different sector, so I began to focus on this next step fairly early on.
Despite financial advisory and services at the time not being widely advertised, I sought out opportunities with the help of Manchester Met. One evening James Wetherall, an IFA in Manchester, ran a seminar in the Business School and I approached him afterwards to ask if he could give me a placement.
James couldn't offer me this, but he was a part of the Next Gen Planners network which was all about getting young people into financial planning. So from that first conversation we met up afterwards and he put me in touch with a mentor who ultimately helped me secure my first role. I still speak to that mentor to this day.
What skills were employers looking for when you searched and applied for your first role, and how did you match them?
When I was looking for my first role I realised that employers were looking for someone who was interested in the role and the industry itself, rather than a raft of specific skills and experiences. They were also looking for someone that could grow into a Financial Adviser from essentially an administration role to start with, so drive and vision of where the role might go was important. In my case they wanted to understand why I wanted to be in the industry, especially after having a previous career which I ultimately left.
The rest of the skills can be taught but having a background from my degree with some knowledge of pensions and tax really helped. In my successful application I linked the different units I studied at university to the exams to become a qualified financial adviser in my cover letter.
I still use the skills I started learning at Manchester Met in my consultancy today, for example attention to detail when I analyse pension and investment information for my clients. I write personalised technical reports on almost a weekly basis so that introduction to report writing that the course offered has been an asset.
What got you from that first role to where you are today?
I built up lots of skills and expertise during the time I worked at KBA FS Ltd. And I still have the same approach to networking as when I approached the Next Gen Planners network. This meant I was secure in taking the leap and believing in my own ability to start the business. So I went for it.
Going self-employed despite its difficulties has been my career highlight to date.
Finance & Economics run employability events and networking opportunities within your CPD and PPD units or as extra experiences. Keep checking your moodle updates and the weekly lecture slides to make the most of these opportunities, just like Tom did.
To learn more about Tim's career to date, check out his brilliant LinkedIn video profiling how he got where he is today.
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