A Grand Start to a Brilliant Career

by Ethan O'Kane, Rewards and Benefits Coordinator

Joining Baker McKenzie Belfast in October 2022 marked the beginning of a journey that blends professional and personal development for me. My initial role as a New Business Intake - Conflicts Coordinator was my first career job after leaving university and my first job here in Northern Ireland.

While I’ve lived in various locations around the world, from growing up in the Middle East to completing my university degree in England, I’ve always had a connection to Northern Ireland and have visited family here in the past.

That little bit of familiarity meant I already knew how warm and welcoming Belfast people could be and importantly, that I had a head start on the slang!

Being able to understand the phrase “I’m foundered, absolutely Baltic” and the reply “Stop your gurning, it’s grand” is a definite head start!

Despite whatever preconceived notions you might have about working at ‘the world's largest corporate law firm’, I quickly found that the warm Belfast welcome also extended to professional settings. While I was the only new member starting in the New Business Intake team during my induction, I made friends with other new starts from across the business and have remained connected to them to this day.

My first role in the NBI team saw me further developing my research capabilities and called upon strong decision-making. These were challenges I embraced, supported fantastically by team leads who ensured I integrated well into the team.

My degree is in International Management, and as part of that, I studied and enjoyed a few modules focused on Human Resources. So I always knew a role in the People team was what I wanted.

When I saw a role advertised in our weekly newsletter, I was quick to apply. I was delighted to be successful and started my new role as a Rewards and Benefits Coordinator in August of this year.

My current role supports our London office in coordinating salary reviews and managing various employee benefits. This position has offered me a broad perspective on HR functions and the satisfaction of directly impacting our employees' well-being.

A typical day for me starts early, often with a morning walk, which I find clears my head and prepares me for the day ahead. The flexibility to work from home a couple of days per week has been invaluable, allowing me to balance my professional responsibilities with my own needs.

I’m happy to say the balance is right for me, working from home is great, but it's always great to catch up with people in the kitchen and enjoy the view of the harbour!

The culture at Baker McKenzie Belfast stands out for its collegiality and supportiveness. Regular social events, like the monthly 'drinks on the terrace' and being part of the Badminton club, have been a great way to meet people and make friends from across the centre.

Reflecting on my time here, I am grateful for the professional growth opportunities and the personal connections I’ve made. I’m happy to say the friends I’ve made at Baker McKenzie only strengthen those early childhood impressions of Northern Irish people being so warm, welcoming and happy to help.

My colleagues have been only too happy to help me move across the business and see me develop and grow professionally. There are so many opportunities here in Belfast, it’s exciting to be somewhere with such potential still ahead!

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