Julie Jamison, Vice President, Business Manager, Global Foreign Exchange and Local Markets, Citi

I studied Law and Spanish at Queen’s University Belfast followed by a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Studies at the University of Ulster.  Like many graduates, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my career, so I applied for a new Graduate Consulting Programme that PwC was starting in Belfast.  The programme allowed graduates to rotate around different PwC departments before specialising.  I joined PwC in August 2008, but then Lehman Brothers, the investment bank, collapsed in September 2008.  I was given the opportunity to go to London to work on the Lehman Brothers Administration and several other banking clients, which helped build my career in Financial Services.  I joined Citi Belfast in May 2016 when FX started to move Front Office roles across from London to Belfast, and I now work with the Business Management team.  No day is the same, and I work with colleagues across the globe.

Do you have a female role model who has inspired you in your career?

A friend from Queen’s University, Michele Davis.  She was an inspiration at Queen’s and continues to be to this day.  She won a scholarship to Harvard, secured a training contract with Freshfields law firm,  raised 2 daughters and made Partner at Freshfields last year.  She has a wonderful positive, “can do” attitude, and she encourages and empowers others.

What has been your defining career moment?

The financial crisis and the collapse of Lehman Brothers – this gave me the opportunity to work in London and Banking.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self (or any young woman reading this)?

Take opportunities and make opportunities.  Network, network, network!  Don’t worry about making mistakes along the way – they will be your greatest learning experiences!

Tell us one surprising fact about yourself.

It is thanks to LinkedIn I have my current job!

What’s next for you in your career?

I have never been able to predict what will happen with my career, and there are always interesting opportunities in Citi and investment banking, so who knows!