NEW JOB HUNTING SKILLS FOR "SEASONED PROFESSIONALS"
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| CAREERS AT DELOITTE |
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Patricia DiMaria
Audit Manager, Deloitte & Touche LLP
With the organization since 2000
Based in McLean, Va.
How has your career progressed at Deloitte?
Until January of this year, I did audits exclusively. This is my third Deloitte & Touche office. I've transferred three times. I started out in Connecticut, then North Carolina and now Virginia. My husband at the time was an air traffic controller, and he was required to move several times. So I'd go to my partners and say, "My husband needs to move. Can I relocate, or do I need to find a new job?" They would just say, "The nearby offices there are X, Y and Z. Let's get you set up there." Of course there was an interview process, but they really looked out for me. Now I'm working in the federal sector providing financial transformation services. I leave each day feeling fulfilled, that my work is meaningful. I am actually making a difference and helping our government operate.
How has Deloitte helped you maintain a good Life/Work balance?
Last year was the most challenging time of my life. I was going through a divorce and was house-hunting for me and my 5-year-old son. Those two situations are stressful and time-consuming, and they take a toll on your emotions. At the same time, the job I was on was very demanding. I was working on a very high-profile audit that was in the news a lot. So I wanted to stay because it was really exciting. But I started talking to my mentors and realized something had to give. Last summer I decided I needed more flexibility and control over what I do on a daily basis. My mentors and the partners were fantastic. They were wondering how I was doing it all. So we looked at my schedule, and I made the decision to get out of audit and move into the role I'm in now, which is more consultative. I didn't want my career to suffer. And everyone I spoke with understood that. So we made this transfer, and it's been wonderful. Now I have deadlines and client demands, but at a different level. While I haven't actually scaled back on my work, I know men and women who have taken reduced workloads or less challenging positions and have still been extremely successful within the organization. We all make decisions and changes that affect our career, and Deloitte fully supports that. In fact, a new program called Mass Career Customization (deloitte.com/us/mcc) is being rolled out firm-wide this year. This program provides all of our people with the opportunity to manage their careers using a lattice model – which allows different paths to advancement – rather than the traditional corporate ladder model.
How flexible is your schedule now?
I can work from home if my son is sick; or if he just doesn't want to cooperate in the morning, we can watch a movie together, and I can go in at 10 o'clock. I worked from home on the day of his preschool graduation so I could be there for that. If there's a school play or field trip, I'm there. For the past several years, I've been doing mostly client-focused work, so I didn't have time to do some of the other things I really enjoy doing now, like working with our women's initiative programs and mentoring. But I can fit them into my schedule now. So if I want to work on that all in one day, I can. I probably work from home one full day a week. As long as I get the job done, I have control over where to do it and my hours. That's important for young women. A lot of younger associates look up to me and ask how I do it as a single mom. So it's really been important to guide them and help them know that Deloitte is a place that can (and will) help, that they're fortunate to be here, because we can really make it work for women. And it's not just like this for women or parents. I know men and single non-moms on flexible work arrangements. It's an organization-focused initiative.
How has Deloitte helped you acquire skills that you will use throughout your career?
Deloitte is fantastic when it comes to training. Each year we have a significant amount of technical training in whatever area we specialize in – financial services or insurance or federal training. They make sure we have across-the-board technical skills. We get technical updates on whatever area we're involved in. And they help us develop our soft skills – how to be assertive, give good presentations, get an executive presence. In the last few years, I've learned the most about dealing with people: managing, communicating and listening – skills you need your whole life.
How many leadership opportunities are there for women?
Tons. Fifteen years ago, Deloitte recognized that they were losing a lot of women professionals before they reached partner level. To find out why, they did research and even talked to the women who'd left the organization to understand what could have been done to keep them. And they've implemented programs to combat this. One I participated in Focus Forward, is a program for female managers to address challenges women will always face. It's a 12-month program for high-performing women across the country. We talk about how to work and communicate with different personalities, time management skills, stress management skills and gender differences. We talk to women partners and learn how they faced challenges in their careers.
How would you describe the culture?
The people are fantastic – from interns to partners. Just this morning, I met with one of the partners I work with. She asked me to have breakfast, and when I asked the reason, she said, "Just to catch up." They really take an interest in each person and try to get to know you. And they have an open-door policy. The older partners are very friendly and compassionate. You can go to any partner in the office with a problem or an idea or just to say hi, and they're so welcoming. If you say, "This industry is interesting to me," they'll sit down and talk about your career path and what's on the other side that you're interested in. This career is very challenging on a technical basis, and you learn so much every day. We work really hard and long hours sometimes, but it's completely worth it.
Do you feel there are significant opportunities for advancement?
I was recently promoted to senior manager. I'm not concerned about whether I'll be a partner in four or five years. I want that and I know it will happen. As part of Deloitte's mentoring and performance practices, each employee has a formal adviser. I meet with mine every few months and stay in contact throughout that time. During this process, I establish short-term and long-term goals, and we revisit them consistently to confirm I am on track. When I'm approached with an opportunity, I ask myself whether it will help me become a partner. If the answer is yes, I accept the opportunity. I have let my goal of becoming a partner be known to the partners I'm in contact with, and I have mentoring sessions with them where we discuss how I'm doing, what challenges I'm facing and whether I'm on track to meet my goals.
More Q&A with Deloitte's top women:
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Heidi Herrick, Manager, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP>> |
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Tifphani White, International Tax Manager, Deloitte Tax LLP>> |
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