Making an impact that matters with Deloitte. Discussing the endless possibilities at Deloitte  with ETH graduate and Life Science Advisor, Sharon Kaufman.

Sharon Kaufman has been working at Deloitte for exactly two years. With a PhD from ETH in physiology, she is now part of the Life Science Advisory Team, which is part of the Risk Advisory at Deloitte.

Sharon, how did you get into Deloitte?

I am in awe of science and all of the researchers out there. I realized quickly however that the impact I could make as a researcher was not as tangible or as quickly attainable as I had hoped. During my PhD I asked myself how I could put all of the knowledge that I gained at ETH to good use and have an impact that actually matters. Through an event hosted by Deloitte for female ETH graduates, I was first exposed to the consulting world. I was impressed by the outcomes, the projects, and the impact one can have at Deloitte. This is when I decided to take my chance in joining Deloitte.

What do you do at Deloitte?

It was clear for me that I did not want to get too far away from my background in life science. There are also more general consulting jobs at Deloitte that are not too specific for one industry, but I am now working in a more dedicated team, based on my studies in life sciences. One of my biggest joys working with Deloitte is that there is no day-to-day routine. Every day looks different and it never gets boring. That also ensures a very steep learning curve, even after working with Deloitte for two years. The type of projects vary a lot as well, the job therefore is very diverse. The possibilities at Deloitte are endless!

“One of my biggest joys working with Deloitte is that there is no day-to-day routine. Every day looks different and it never gets boring.”

Sharon Kaufman

Why are you happy working at Deloitte?

Deloitte is trying everyday to do justice to their purpose “make an impact that matters”. With my and my team’s effort, we can help our clients to be faster and more efficient. It is a great feeling to support your clients, it gives you a lot of satisfaction and it fills you with pride. Because the projects at Deloitte are so diverse it is also very easy for you as a consultant to realize where your strengths and interests lie. Deloitte never forces a project onto you, they really support you to explore what you like and where you want to put your energy as an employee.

“Because the projects at Deloitte are so diverse it is also very easy for you as a consultant to realize where your strengths and interests lie. ”

Sharon Kaufman

What were the most surprising moments during your first year at Deloitte?

One of the more obvious surprises I experienced was the transitioning from academia to industry. Coming from a PhD, one can think of themself as an expert in a specific field, and it can be a surprise to realize that university has not taught you specific skills, such as setting up a meeting or creating presentable slides on PowerPoint. The one thing that surprised me even more though, was how helpful everyone at Deloitte was, and that I never felt alone. Everyone understands that you all start at different levels. Since I got so much help myself in the beginning, I also love to give back to the next generation, it’s a cycle that maintains itself. Because Deloitte is so international it is also nearly impossible to have a question which has not yet been asked by anyone else. Working at Deloitte makes it easy for you to build a big network with people from all over the world.

“Since I got so much help myself in the beginning, I also love to give back to the next generation, it’s a cycle that maintains itself.” 

Sharon Kaufman

What is it like to be part of Deloitte?

I am very happy to be a part of Deloitte, it is actually a lot of fun. Because of Covid it was not possible to do as much team building as before, but even now me and my team meet for monthly dinners or drinks on Zoom. As soon as Covid restrictions eased, we often went off-site and spent some quality time together, getting to know each other outside of work.  I gained a lot of friends working for Deloitte, some of them I even meet outside of work and will remain friends with even if their journey with Deloitte should come to an end. All of this is possible because Deloitte puts such a strong focus on team building and one of the core values of the company is inclusion. It is therefore important to always feel like you are a part of something bigger. No one will force you to take part in team drinks, for example if you have kids. It’s always up to the individual, how they want to participate in the team building. It’s an inclusion that works well for the individual.

Based on the company’s position in the market, what do you see ahead for the company in the next few years?

A big advantage of Deloitte is that they invest a lot in trends long before they take off. Deloitte has been investing in new technologies, as a consulting service and as a product, for a long time now. Deloitte therefore is very strong in terms of digitalization and new technologies. My team is growing rapidly, and Deloitte constantly needs new people due to the amount of new projects coming in. Since we have a good relationship with our customers, they come back with new projects. The work never stops. Another big plus for Deloitte is that they are a great employer. They really take care of you as a person and want to make sure that you feel good about being a part of the company. They even made a Covid leave for people who felt overwhelmed during the pandemic or had to take care of their kids or parents.

What advice would you give yourself if you could travel 3 years back in time?

I would have liked to know my options better. We tend to stay in our narrow field, in this bubble of like-minded people. It is important to look around you, especially in today’s time where one is not staying for a lifetime in the same profession. The world is a lot more dynamic than it used to be, make use of this and do not look at it as a hurdle.