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Lead Instructor: Paul Staples

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Hi, I'm Paul

I'll be your lead instructor for the Graduates Anonymous courses. I've been lucky to be surrounded by amazing people throughout my career and I hope to help you too. I've worked at Deutsche Bank, Nomura, JP Morgan, BAE Systems, BT, and government functions.  I've worked across trading, risk, compliance, operations, technology, sales & relationship management and product management which has given me a unique understanding of the corporate workings,  from cultures to behaviours.

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My Story

I started out 21 years ago at Goldman Sachs on the graduate program. This was my first true corporate job, because I'd come from tech startups prior to that.  I was out of my depth! I didn't know what was expected of me, I had no clue how to manage my time, nor how to communicate effectively or crazy as this sounds behave in a corporate setting.  

 

I began watching, listening and taking onboard all the lessons coming my way.  Putting these skills in to practice gave me a chance to help other graduates on subsequent programs and I went on to continue an enjoyable career in banking and equally in building my own tech startups along the way.  I've coached over 100 graduates either directly under my leadership or those referred to me by friends, other graduates and family.  

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I've realised that success in first 2 or 3 years in your career is a process. I found that I was saying the same thing and seeing the same great results.  It dawned on me that its a repeatable process and proven in the sucess of the many graduates I've helped as their career's flourish

 

It's a privilege to help and one I take very seriously.   Sometimes my candid approach as not always welcome, but I believe being 100% authentic and honest, with those tough conversations to be so important.

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There is so much that is not taught and hidden assessment that I believe it important to help share this to ensure you achieve your potential.

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I've always enjoyed helping graduates be the best they can and make good choices along the way. I made a lot of mistakes too, and I hope that my tough lessons through my career can be put to good effect helping you too.

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I look forward to supporting you.

Instructor: Avinash Bhavnani

Hello, I'm Avinash

I'm an experienced manager with a career so far in finance, technology and tourism. I've over 10 years of experience, having started my career in Finance. Paul was my manager then and I went through this program a decade ago. Since then I've grown professionally, and have in turn used the course to help others that I have managed and mentored at the start of their careers.

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