Nathan Sawyer, Audit Manager at BDO, and Mariya Shah, ACCA, Finance Technical Lead at West Midlands Pension Fund, both volunteered their time on Discover Finance in July, sharing their career experience with students and supporting with various activities. We asked them about their time on the programme, in their own words.

Nathan Sawyer, Audit Manager, BDO

What motivated you to volunteer your time to the Discover Finance programme?

I generally enjoy getting involved in these sort of events – it's enjoyable getting away from the desk to get involved in something else, and feels good to be giving back a little!

What did you enjoy the most about volunteering?

I enjoyed the Q&A session as it was really interesting to see what the students were interested in within our business and to be able to give them some advice on their careers.

What impact would you like to see Discover Finance have in the future?

I hope to see more people of different backgrounds and cultures finding a way into finance roles.

Did you learn anything new or develop any skills during your time volunteering?

It helps with a range of skills which you may not necessarily develop during day to day work – e.g. communication and changes your styles to different audiences such as students.

What feedback or advice did you give the students?

I encouraged them to always ask questions and be inquisitive as this is the best way to learn - coming into a business like ours there's so much to learn, there are no stupid questions!

Has taking part encouraged you to volunteer again in the future? What would you say to colleagues who are thinking about volunteering in the future?

As above I would definitely get involved in future and generally would recommend doing so to colleagues – it's enjoyable and rewarding.

Mariya Shah, ACCA, Finance Technical Lead, West Midlands Pension Fund

What motivated you to volunteer your time to the Discover Finance Programme?

I volunteered because I could relate to the participants and understand how difficult it can be to break into Finance without any prior experience. I wanted to provide useful information and practical advice that I would have found helpful when I was in a similar position. It was also a good opportunity to help students understand the different opportunities available within Finance.

What did you enjoy the most about volunteering?

I enjoyed talking to the participants and understanding their motivations, as well as some of the difficulties they were facing. It was also great to see how creative they were when presenting their ideas. Seeing their confidence grow as they were presenting their final ideas was really pleasing.

What impact would you like to see Discover Finance have in the future?

I would like to see Discover Finance help more school leavers get into the Finance industry, particularly encouraging more women to consider a career in Finance. I think programmes like this are important in showing young people that there are a wide range of opportunities available in Finance, even if they do not have prior experience.

Did you learn anything new or develop any skills during your time volunteering?

One of the main things I developed was my communication skills. I had to adapt my communication style for a younger group and think about different ways to explain ideas and keep them engaged. I also developed my mentorship skills through supporting and encouraging the participants during the networking lunch.

What feedback or advice did you give the students?

I highlighted that confidence is key and that it is important to put yourself out there. I encouraged them to try new things, as this is an important part of learning and growing. I also wanted them to understand that Finance is a large industry, with many different areas and opportunities to get involved in, so they should not feel limited to any one particular career path.

Has taking part encouraged you to volunteer again in the future? What would you say to colleagues who are thinking about volunteering in the future?

Yes, I would volunteer again in the future and would encourage my colleagues to get involved. The experience was really eye opening, and it felt like you were having a genuine impact on the participants by encouraging them and giving them advice. It was also a great opportunity to dispel any preconceived ideas they may have had about Finance and show them the range of opportunities available. At the same time, volunteering allowed me to develop my own communication and mentorship skills, so I think it is a really valuable experience for both the participants and the volunteers.

Why volunteering matters

Nathan and Mariya's experiences point to something we hear from volunteers across Discover Finance: skilled volunteering works both ways. For professionals, it's a meaningful opportunity to share their expertise, step outside the day-to-day, and build skills like communication and mentorship that don't always get exercised at a desk.

For the students they meet, it's often the first time they've had direct access to people working in the industry - a chance to ask questions, test their thinking, and get honest, first-hand answers about what a career in finance actually looks like. As Nathan and Mariya's answers show, that kind of access can shape how young people think about their next steps and open their eyes to opportunities and sectors they hadn't previously considered.

If you're an employer and would like to join the Discover Finance network that's shaping the next generation of talent like BDO and WMPF, get in touch with Charlotte.