Q&A – with Daisy Pharoah, Analyst at Windrose Consulting Group
Q&A – with Daisy Pharoah, Analyst at Windrose Consulting Group
In our Q&A’s with the team at Windrose, we look at their career, advice they’ve been given and what it’s like to work at Windrose.
Tell us about your career journey so far
After my undergraduate degree, I spend around four years working and living in Vietnam, and a year in South Korea. I moved to South Africa, where I spent four years working at Fugitives’ Drift - a luxury lodge on a private game reserve in the heart of the Anglo-Zulu war battlefields in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal. I then returned to the UK to do my master’s in health policy at the LSE, which led me to pursue a career change in life sciences consulting at Windrose!
What moment in your career and studies are you most proud of?
I am quite proud of how adaptable I have proven to be. Over the past fifteen years, I have lived in four countries across three continents, often where English is not widely spoken. Probably one of the biggest challenges I have faced was going back into academia after taking a ten year break – the first couple of months were especially challenging! But I came out with a distinction, so I was quite proud of that.
What’s the best piece of career (or academic) advice you’ve been given?
‘Push yourself; know the limits of your competence, but work to extend those limits when possible’ – said my Dad. He also said, ‘my advice is “don’t ask anyone for advice”’.
What has been your favourite thing since you’ve been working at Windrose?
I have been so impressed and humbled by the warm and welcoming working environment – everyone, despite busy schedules – has been so supportive and generous with their time and sharing their knowledge. I have already learned so much! We have also done some fun social things – our charity run (and post-run cake feast) around central London one evening while the sun was setting was my favourite!
And finally for fun… which talent would you most like to have?
It would be good to able to be able to instantly travel somewhere – I would love to be able to pop back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch at one of my favourite restaurants, or a rooftop in Udaipur, India for a post-work G+T… Although on second thoughts, I suppose that’s more of a superpower than a talent! If I had to choose a talent, it would be to be able to sing well – I’m always envious of a good singing voice!