Hello, my name is Ketan and I work as a project manager in the IT department for Société Générale’s corporate investment banking division. I am currently managing a project which looks at saving costs in the IT department in areas such as financial information feeds, telecommunications and IT office equipment – desktop. My main responsibilities include project coordination, working hands-on initiatives and reporting to management on the project status and savings achieved. I first started working for Société Générale in 2000 as part of my company placement at university whilst studying computer science. What attracted me to work for Société Générale was the scope to increase my understanding and knowledge through their structured training program. This first insight into a professional working environment enabled me to build a strong foundation for my career, upon completion of my studies I returned to Société Générale in 2002, to work in the IT department as a junior technical administrator. Here I gained the relevant experience to move into project management. A few years later I was given the opportunity to take an overseas assignment to India, to project manage an IT off-shoring activity. After being seconded for 3 years I returned to the UK to take on new responsibilities in project management. What has positively surprised me about Société Générale is that over the past several years I have had the opportunity to experience a new country and culture, and frequently change my positions, which has enabled me to both develop my professional and personal objectives.