This document discusses careers in corporate settings versus being an entrepreneur. It includes opinions from Deepa Shah, the CFO of Hall & Partners. Shah notes that while some people pursue entrepreneurship, her personality was better suited to working her way up through a large company. She provides advice such as gaining diverse work experience while studying, developing skills people want through integrity and learning, and helping others along the way. The document advocates that both corporate careers and entrepreneurship can be fulfilling if the right path is chosen based on one's talents and interests.

1. use our skills in-house to drive
successful organisations, and
others create their own ventures.
Please share with us your opin-
ion on the on-going corporate vs.
entrepreneurship debate?
Whether you’re an entrepreneur
or an employee, how you make
the most of the opportunities you
create, as well as the ones that are
presented to you is important.
My experience in working at a
multi-national has shown that if
you are well supported, you can
develop personally while also
contributing to the growth and
success of an organisation. If you
find a right fit within a company,
How different would your career
be if you had decided to set up
your own business instead of
joining Hall & Partners?
I joined Hall & Partners as
soon as I graduated, and at a
time when I had no idea what I
wanted my career to be. I joined
the London team as the office
junior and worked my way up to
my current role which is Chief
Financial Officer. It is hard for
me to say how different my life
would be if I set up my own busi-
ness because the reality is that I
didn’t!
I think every one of us has
an entrepreneurial spirit in us.
Some of us, like me, go on and
that company will help bring out
your talents and nurture them. It is
in every organisation’s interest to
develop their employees, because
that in turn will help them become
successful.
Can we build our dreams while
helping other people build
theirs?
We can most definitely build our
own dreams while helping others
build theirs. It is an absolute must
in my books. I have personally
had people around me who have
pushed me along my journey
while they have been building
theirs.They constantly keep me on
my toes, encouraging me to push
myself out of my comfort zone.
This motivates me to continue
pursuing my dreams. It is impor-
tant for me to do the same as I
have seen firsthand how beneficial
it can be.
Corporate careers
DEEPA SHAHCFO AT HALL & PARTNERS
CHAIRWOMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR
THE CHARITY LIVES NOT KNIVES
WOMEN OF THE FUTURE CHARITY AMBASSADOR
THE ASIAN WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT BUSINESS
CATEGORY 2016 AWARDEE
ADVICE:
• My advice to young people is
to go out into the world and
try out different sectors and
industries through work expe-
rience. I did this while I was
studying and I discovered that
I liked to work with numbers
and I loved to talk to people!
This led me into my current
role, being a strategic partner
for Hall & Partners, looking
after the finances as well as
building valuable relationships
internally and externally.
CAREER TIPS:
• Do remember that integrity is
everything in business.
• Do challenge yourself and aim
to learn something new every
day.
• Do help others along the way.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
• Don’t be afraid to have the
confidence to put your hand up
and put yourself forward.
• Don’t forget to look after your-
self and remember why you
are amazing at what you do.
FINANCING•MANAGING•MARKETING•LEARNING•GROWING
[44] | vol.5 /october 2016