Carol Ann posing for a picture

Operations Team Lead Carol-Ann Reflects on Her Career Progression Within SYS

Operations Team Lead Carol-Ann details her experience working at SYS Group to date. Having progressed in her career from Administrative Support to Team Lead, it’s been an exciting journey

I received a notification on my LinkedIn that made me aware that I hit my two-year work anniversary with SYS Group. Those two years have gone so quickly, I don’t think I would have believed it if it hadn’t been for that reminder. It made me reflect on my time here, and the journey I didn’t even appreciate that I am on.

Financial services industry

My financial services career began in retail banking, which I left in 2013 and moved to Australia with my partner to be with his family. I started my career there on reception for a financial planning company in NSW and five years later, when I left, I was Interim Practice Manager which consisted of three offices.

Returning home

On our move back to Ireland, two had become three. My partner, our baby and I moved to Dublin and lived with my parents. As time crept on, it didn’t take long for us to realise that settling in Dublin wouldn’t be feasible, due to high cost of rent and childcare. After a short house hunt, we found the perfect home in Moneygall, Co. Offaly.

Team qualities

Fast forward to 2020, and we’re settled into our home in Moneygall. I became aware of an administration position in a financial planning company in Nenagh. It was perfect for me, but I felt my lack of technical knowledge in the Irish market might go against me in the interview. Group CEO Tony Delaney and Aileen (our previous Operations Manager) quickly made it clear that my lack of technical knowledge was not a deal breaker, and that they were looking for a combination of qualities. I knew then that this was where I wanted to work. It gave me a sense of confidence in the company that its leaders were concerned about team qualities and didn’t base everything on the technical knowledge aspect.

COVID interruption

I started the position in February 2020, just 6-weeks before our first COVID-19 lockdown. It was such an uncertain time, no one knew how the pandemic would pan out. I had myself convinced that I had missed the SYS opportunity. I was delighted when Tony contacted me and asked me to come back. I can say with confidence, it has been a case of onwards and upwards since then.

Career progression

Two-years later, I have progressed to Operations Team Lead. Needless to say, this role is a huge daily learning curve, but with the support of Tony and all in SYS, I am enjoying every minute of it.

The great thing about the financial services is that you are always learning, and the great thing about SYS is their encouragement of professional learning and personal development. We are very fortunate in SYS that our colleagues are so generous with their time as well as information sharing.  

Looking to the future

I look forward to seeing what the future holds for SYS Group, as it gets stronger and brings it’s advice based financial planning ethos to clients from all walks of life. And of course my own journey, where I fit into this outstanding team of professionals and adding my building block to the SYS Group.

Learn more about Carol-Ann on our website here, or via her LinkedIn page.

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