Not Soft Skills but Essential Skills

 

Get Spotted: Flying Start and Accountancy

(video and more content coming soon - page under construction)

This episode highlights the communication skills cultivated through an initiative known as Flying Start, which is an integral part of the Queen Mary accountancy undergraduate degree. With Flying Start, paid work placements are incorporated into the degree program from the very beginning, along with classes in professional and communicative skills. We'll hear insights from Dr. Ishani Chandrasekara, the programme's founder, Avneet, a Queen Mary student who just completed his first work placement, and Ayra, a successful Queen Mary accountancy graduate. 

We’ll hear about overcoming 'imposter syndrome' and the concept of 'faking it till you make it,' and about how the trick to confidence is feeling comfortable, about adopting a flexible mindset, and the significance of reading the room. Ayra shares her experience as a young woman of colour from a state school, suddenly presenting audits to influential CEOs, and offers her advice on excelling in any professional setting. Avneet emphasizes the necessity of crafting clear, effective emails and explains how he tackled his reflective writing assignment, among other topics. As Prof. Chandrasekara wisely notes, these are not merely 'soft skills'; they are essential skills and will empower students to thrive both in their careers and beyond.