4 Mins
Career journeys rarely follow a straight line, and for many people, the path they take is far from the one they originally imagined. As part of #NoWrongPath Week, Molly Ross, an internal audit trainee, shares her experience of finding her place in professional services, from studying psychology at university to building a career that combines curiosity, critical thinking and personal growth. In this Q&A, by Scottish Financial Enterprise, she reflects on the lessons she’s learned, the value of trusting your instincts, and why there really is no wrong path when it comes to finding the right role for you.
1. What first sparked your interest in working in the professional services industry, and how did that lead to the specific role you’re in now?
As a psychology graduate, my path to working in the professional services industry has been anything but conventional. I often felt caught between my analytical way of thinking and my desire to understand and connect with people and was unsure how to develop both without compromising one or the other. Despite this uncertainty, one thing that has always remained is my curiosity and my passion for learning.
When I graduated from university, I had no clear idea of what direction I wanted to take or what the next step in my career would be. However, I knew I wanted to have my curiosity met with warmth and understanding, and an opportunity to learn and grow, and I was lucky enough to stumble across a job posting on Indeed for an Internal Audit Trainee role at Henderson Loggie.
2. Can you describe the journey that brought you to your current role – and what made you choose that particular path (e.g., apprenticeship, degree, career switch)?
In the least cliché way possible, when I saw the job posting on Indeed, it felt like a natural fit. When it comes to Internal Audit, curiosity and critical thinking are so embedded in the work we do. At a fundamental level, we are there to add value, by providing ‘independent, objective insight that helps organisations improve how they operate’.
It was a job where I saw myself being able to nurture both my emotional intelligence and understanding, as well as utilising and developing my analytical skills. With my job being a traineeship, it also means that I get to study alongside work, which keeps me very engaged and helps to deepen my understanding of not only internal audit, but the various organisations we work with and the unique areas they sit within.
3. Were there any key moments, mentors, or experiences that helped you realise this was the right fit for you?
As a young, neurodivergent woman, I’ve struggled with feeling out of place at various points throughout my life. As young people, I think we often feel as though we aren’t experienced enough to belong in certain spaces, and it can be a difficult journey to unlearn that timidity. When I was going through the interview process for my job, I made a decision to not share this with anyone, as I felt as though I needed to trust my instincts and follow what felt right for me, and the first step of this process was learning to let go of the fear of how others perceived me.
By trusting myself, I am now in a job I love and feel proud of! I feel so privileged to work for Henderson Loggie, who believe in investing in people and don’t see being early in your career as a limitation, but as rather an opportunity. All this to say, the most important thing is that we are our own biggest advocates, and that we seek out places where we are given the autonomy to nurture this belief in ourselves.
4. What aspects of your current role do you find most fulfilling, and did that align with what you expected when you started?
My job is really intellectually stimulating, and because we cover such a wide range of areas, I can confidently say I haven’t had a boring day yet! I feel really lucky to be able to help organisations add value and improve their operations, and to be able to help others whilst also developing myself as a person and a professional is really rewarding.
I had no idea what to expect when I first started, but I did my best to lean into the uncertainty instead of the fear that comes with that. Some days are more difficult than others, but every challenge comes with an opportunity to experience and learn something, and I am super lucky to have an amazing team supporting me through it all!
5. Looking back, is there anything you would tell your younger self (or someone starting out) about finding a role that truly fits them?
The only person who decides who you are is yourself, and to quote Minecraft, ‘everything you need is within you’. If you have the privilege of being curious, embrace it, and allow yourself to try new things – you may be surprised where you end up!
