My journey of growth at Protiviti

By Hanneke Catts

Graduating from university likely evokes a multitude of emotions, but mostly, a lot of excitement and a pinch of fear. There is the excitement of finding opportunities to apply your learning in the ‘real’ world, and at the same time, there is some fear of what direction you’ll head in and where your feet will land.

Looking back, I felt nothing short of these emotions when I graduated over 16 years ago. Luckily, I did find my feet when I joined Protiviti’s Sydney office as a ‘graduate consultant’. At director level now, I can reflect on my vibrant journey that has been exciting and at many times, challenging throughout my time with Protiviti.

My journey so far…

In the initial 7 years of my career, I worked on many diverse projects that came my way from creating cybersecurity strategies to undertaking risk assurance projects, which saw me become well-acquainted with teams across Protiviti Australia’s offices, particularly in Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. Following that, I transferred to Protiviti’s London office for a year and a half. I worked on some large-scale projects as well as smaller engagements, and it was only in 2015 when I returned to Sydney that I narrowed my focus to technology risk and privacy in the financial services and technology industries.

I’ve embarked on a parental journey twice over the past 15 years and am currently a proud working part-time parent. It feels wonderful to enjoy this kind of versatility (one of the many benefits of being in consulting at Protiviti) while not compromising on learning new things.

The like-mindedness of this organisation and its employees

‘But what made you stay in this company for so long?’ is a question that I get asked often. Though I have several reasons, I would highlight the supportive culture as the driving force behind staying here for so long. I have received exceptional support during my early graduate program days until now. One thing that really stood out for me over all these years is the fact that despite working in quite a few Protiviti offices and with colleagues from across the globe, it is reassuring to know that the culture is incredibly similar in each office, and we have a global network of like-minded individuals that want the best for each employee.

Working with Protiviti is not only about the growth of the organisation, but also about personal growth.

This is what my career path with Protiviti looks like so far…

From grad consultant on Protiviti Australia's graduate program to data privacy consulting director

Hanneke's consulting career journey with Protiviti

A good deal of passion combined with great mentorship leads to success

It looks like I've come a long way! But, all of this would not have been possible without a wide net of fantastic leaders that have supported me throughout my career. Although it is important to pave your own way, I have been inspired by the journeys of my peers, some of who started with me and are still here today, which has made me want to operate to the best of my abilities.

Organised training and challenge schools are fantastic opportunities to develop your toolkit, but I also suggest taking inspiration from those that you admire and respect. It could be observing and learning the way that they operate in a client meeting or general banter in the lunchroom. There are always little pearls of wisdom that can be picked up along the way that contribute to professional and personal development. You’ll find yourself building relationships and friendships with some amazing clients, who can become an endless source of inspiration and knowledge.

I have received exceptional support during my early graduate program days until now

Challenges that graduate may face on their professional journey

It’s natural to come across challenges as you embark on any new journey, but it is how you navigate through them that matters. My main challenge was to figure out where I fit in a global organisation that is so full of incredibly talented individuals, diverse clients and deep subject knowledge that was mostly new to me. This might feel relatable as you start your professional journey.

At times you may find it quite overwhelming but the way I dealt with it was by taking in all the opportunities that came my way. It will expose you to different lines of business and gradually the more experience you gain, the clearer it becomes to see how you can contribute in positive ways.

My advice for all the graduates who will soon start their professional journey

For graduates who are soon to become working professionals, I recommend being curious and proactive in learning and applying new things. Do not take failures to heart. Ask lots of questions, say yes to everything even if it seems daunting, and do not underestimate your contributions.

Want to hear more from Hanneke? Get in touch with her!

Learn more about Protiviti’s consulting graduate program here.