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Alumni Stories: How Julia found her path in Jersey’s finance industry

I was the youngest person in the room, but I was in the room.

When Julia Dziegiel moved to Jersey at 16, she wasn't following a carefully planned career path. In fact, her journey into finance began almost by chance.

Inspired by her Level 3 Business programme and encouraged by her experience at Highlands, Julia continued her studies through the Business Management degree delivered at University College Jersey. Staying in Jersey allowed Julia to continue her education while living at home, building work experience and creating strong connections with her fellow students.

One of the things that stood out during Julia's studies was the opportunity to learn from people actively working in Jersey's finance industry. Industry professionals frequently delivered sessions and shared real-world insights into areas such as accounting, ethics and financial services. These experiences helped bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, giving students a clearer understanding of the opportunities available on the Island.

Initially drawn to international markets and investments, she began to picture a future career within the finance sector and took every opportunity to explore different pathways. A placement opportunity with Fairway introduced her to time working across different departments, gaining exposure to a range of roles and teams. The experience helped her discover where her strengths and interests truly lay. That placement soon developed into regular work during university holidays and alongside her studies. By the time she graduated, she had already built valuable industry experience and established strong professional relationships.

Business is mostly about continuous learning. I'm highly motivated to keep doing more qualifications.

Today, she works within Fairway's private client trust business. Like many graduates entering their first full-time role, confidence was one of the biggest challenges. Although her placement experience gave her a head start, there were still new skills to develop. 

Over time, experience replaced uncertainty. The more conversations she had, the more comfortable she became. Networking events, client interactions and professional relationships all helped strengthen her confidence. A defining moment came when she completed her professional STEP Diploma after university. Being the youngest person on the programme could have been intimidating, but instead it reinforced how far she had come.

For Julia, learning does not stop after graduation, recently completing her STEP Diploma. The qualifications covers areas including trust law, company law, taxation and international markets, and Julia earnt an award for the highest score in Jersey in the International Markets examination. She is now considering further postgraduate-level study as she works towards becoming a Chartered Wealth Manager.

Jersey Uni Graduation Paul Wright Photographer 243 Original

"Be a yes person. Put yourself out there, make yourself seen and the opportunities will come. If something feels right for you, go for it. Everything else will fall into place."

While finance is often seen as a numbers-driven profession, Julia believes its most rewarding aspect is something much more personal. Working with private clients has shown her the importance of building relationships, understanding people and creating trust.

In an increasingly automated world, she values genuine human connections and the opportunity to work closely with clients and colleagues alike.

Looking back, Julia credits much of her success to being open to opportunities, even those that may not seem like the perfect fit at first.

Julia is looking forward to learning the outcome of her recent nomination for 'Trust Officer of the Year' at the prestigious Citywealth Future Leaders Awards ceremony in November. 

From arriving in Jersey as a teenager to building a successful career in wealth management and earning recognition within the finance industry, Julia's story demonstrates how embracing opportunity, staying curious and committing to lifelong learning can open doors in unexpected ways.

Feeling inspired? Discover our courses in Business and Finance by visiting our course pages here. 

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