Alix Dalzell’s career story provides reassurance to any high school student who does not have an answer when someone asks, ‘what do you want to do when you grow up?’
During her school years at Otago Girls’ High School in Dunedin, Alix was the classic all-rounder, studying a range of subjects and enjoying the variety. But like many all-rounders, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do after finishing school.
First Steps
During her final year, Alix took an Information Technology class which led to an administration apprenticeship with infrastructure giant Fulton Hogan. Thanks to the size of the company and the encouragement of her manager, Alix was exposed to a wide variety of tasks and became curious about the financial side of the business. "Working at Fulton Hogan opened my eyes to the world of finance in a way I hadn’t expected. It wasn’t just about numbers, it was about problem-solving, strategy, and making things happen," she says.
Juggling Study, work, and life
Recognising her aptitude for business, Alix’s manager encouraged her to pursue a formal tertiary qualification, a suggestion for which she is grateful to this day. Enrolling in business studies at the Open Polytechnic, she began to lay the foundation for what would become a career in accounting. Working full-time, she studied in the evenings at her own pace, finding a balance between study, work, and life.
"It wasn’t easy juggling everything, but the flexibility was exactly what I needed," Alix reflects. "I was able to earn an income while studying, which allowed my partner and me to buy a house and even travel." This pragmatic approach might have taken her longer than the traditional route, but it afforded her the time to develop both personally and professionally.
Growing Ambitions
During her studies Alix continued to build her professional experience, moving into a Finance Administrator role at Foley’s, a local plumbing firm. Finally, she graduated with her degree and secured her first Accountant role with a local accounting firm. Taking up a range of roles across the financial and administrative fields allowed Alix to deepen her experience and skills, not to mention build a better picture of where she wanted to take her career. Before she knew, Alix had gone from not quite knowing where she wanted to head to shaping a career that felt like a natural fit.
Finding passion, her people, her place
Alix found her real fit when she was offered the opportunity to move into an Intermediate Accountant role at Moore Markhams Otago. She had heard it was a great place to work, and supportive of continued education. Fast forward eighteen months and even more study hours and Alix achieved her Chartered Accountant qualification, marking a significant milestone in her career.
As for the team she spends her working days with, Alix has found her place: “It is so important to be surrounded by people who support you, believe in you and help you achieve your ambitions. Moore Markhams Otago were immensely supportive and really invested in my future. The team are such a fun bunch of people, and the clients are truly fantastic. It is a wonderful place to work.”
Reflecting on her journey, Alix is philosophical: " The best journeys are the ones you don’t plan. Keep an open mind, be curious and you will achieve your dreams!"
Alix Dalzell’s journey to Chartered Accountant at Moore Markhams Otago serves as inspiration to anyone unsure of where they are headed. Seek guidance from those around you, be open to new experiences, and do it your own way.
Just take the first step, you never know where it will lead!