Oliver Friston
My Graduate Story
My name is Oliver Friston and I completed MEng in Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience at the University of Birmingham.
I currently work as a Lead Consultant at Argon and Co, a specialist management consultancy firm focused on operations strategy and transformation. We support global clients in achieving their strategic goals through areas such as Supply Chain Planning, Logistics, Procurement, and Manufacturing. Our practice areas are also expanding to include Data & AI and Sustainability.
A Day in my Life
As a Lead Consultant, my role involves delivering streams of work for clients, leading small teams of consultants to achieve project outcomes. Additionally, I proactively build and maintain relationships with current and prospective clients, driving the next phase of our work."
A Typical Week in My Role:
- Monday: Working from home, I plan out my week and identify key goals. A brief check-in with my project team sets everyone up for the week, preparing for upcoming client sessions.
- Tuesday: I work from our central London office, where I handle internal meetings, including managing our internal resourcing process. I also catch up with the Supply Chain Planning Community of Practice to exchange insights and plan client workshops with my team.
- Wednesday and Thursday: These are dedicated to face-to-face workshops with clients at their site, focusing on problem-solving and making impactful changes. These days are intensive but offer a great opportunity to build client relationships.
- Friday: I participate in a half-day company team event, which provides a relaxed setting to connect with colleagues and learn about other teams’ work. The day often concludes with lunch and informal socializing.
My Journey to Argon and Co
I was fortunate that my degree included an industrial placement year with Unilever. During this year, I was able to demonstrate my abilities, which led to a graduate job offer. Having a role secured when I returned for my final year allowed me to focus on my studies without the added pressure of job applications.
My Birmingham Experience
Although I have not pursued a technical engineering career, the skills I gained during my engineering degree are invaluable. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, working with data, and managing large projects are central to my daily work as a consultant.
The industrial placement year was a standout experience—it gave me my first exposure to the professional world and helped me approach my final years of study more effectively. I also appreciated the variety of assignments and modules throughout my degree, which required adaptable thinking. This agility has been essential in my work today, where I handle a diverse range of projects and clients.
Birmingham's Impact
My time at the University of Birmingham not only equipped me with technical and analytical skills but also helped me learn how to learn better. Over the four years of my degree, my overall performance improved as I discovered study methods that worked best for me. This ability to adapt and refine my learning approach has been a significant advantage in my professional life.
My Achievements
My ability to improve my performance year on year throughout my degree is something I’m proud of. It reflects not only the knowledge I gained but also the study strategies I developed, which have continued to benefit me in my career.
Another key achievement was securing a graduate job offer through my industrial placement year, a testament to the skills and experience I gained during that time.
Advice for Students
When applying for jobs, think carefully about:
- Why you want to work in that particular field—what motivates or excites you about it.
- Why you want to work for that specific company—what sets them apart from competitors.
Answering these questions not only helps during interviews but also ensures you’re applying to roles and companies that genuinely align with your interests and goals.