How LSBU helped Fulya Altintas discover a career in financial investigation
While studying Accounting and Finance at LSBU, Fulya took the opportunity to complete a year-long placement with the City of London Police as a Financial Intelligence Officer. The experience helped her discover a career path beyond traditional finance roles, develop her professional confidence and gain practical experience alongside her degree. After graduating, she progressed to Financial Investigator, turning her university placement into an exciting career.
What first attracted you to Accounting and Finance, and how did your interests develop during your time at LSBU?
I studied Accounting and Finance at London South Bank University. When I started, I wanted to build a career where I could use my interest in finance, but I had yet to discover exactly where that would take me. My journey eventually led me into financial intelligence and investigation.
What did you most want to take away from your university experience?
I wanted to leave university with both a degree and practical experience. The challenge was finding an opportunity to apply what I was learning, understand the workplace and build a clearer picture of my future career.
What was the most valuable part of your placement with the City of London Police?
A key turning point during my time at LSBU was completing a 1-year placement with the City of London Police as a Financial Intelligence Officer. Having the opportunity to gain professional experience alongside my degree studies helped me connect my academic learning with a career in financial crime.
What did you learn from your experience and how did the placement shape your career plans?
My placement gave me a year of experience working in a professional environment. It allowed me to explore a career path that extended beyond the roles people might typically associate with an Accounting and Finance degree.
After completing my placement, I was offered a part-time role with the City of London Police while I finished university. This meant I could continue developing professionally while completing my studies.
How did moving from university into the workplace help you recognise your strengths and build confidence in your abilities?
The experience helped me see myself as someone who could build a career in this field. Moving from being a student to working in a professional environment, and then being offered the opportunity to stay, gave me greater confidence in my abilities and what I could contribute. Balancing part-time work with my final year also helped me become more independent and take greater responsibility for my development.
How has your career progressed since graduating?
After graduating, I was promoted to Financial Investigator. For me, the most meaningful outcome was that my placement developed into a continuing career. I graduated with my Accounting and Finance degree, professional experience and the opportunity to progress with an organisation I had joined as a placement student.
What advice would you give to students who are exploring their career options and considering taking on a placement during their degree?
Make the most of the opportunities available during university, especially placements. Your degree can open doors to careers you may not have considered when you first started.
You do not need to have your whole future planned out, and you do not need to feel completely confident before putting yourself forward. Confidence grows through experience. My placement became the starting point of my career, so my advice is to take that first step and give yourself the chance to discover what you can achieve.