Previous Institution
Brunel Pathway College (BPC) - First Year University Studies
Tell us about your educational and/or career journey since you graduated from Brunel?
I started in 2012 as a Business Development Specialist in a software services company in Bangalore, India. I gained an MBA (Distance Learning) from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai, India. I started taking projects as a self-employed worker after leaving the corporate world. I started my entrepreneurship journey in 2016 and worked with various technology clients such as artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, big data analytics and immersive technologies. I have been writing a book on lead generation strategies. I am also a volunteer as a Growth Ambassador at Scope for change, NGO (a leading child assault and education programme for underprivileged kids) and as the new Alumni Officer for the Brunel Alumni Association in India. I am also the Marketing Director for a bootstrap start-up and provide podcasts for NGO and technology clients.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
A typical day at work starts with a typical Indian cardamom tea! Since it has been work from home these past two years, I start work at 7am by checking emails first then responding as required. At around 10am I have my online meetings or calls scheduled with my clients. I also mentor students, which takes one hour a day twice a week. The second half of the day is for product demos and meetings with prospective clients, as that time is suitable for international clients. At 6pm I prefer to organise my Excel as that is a bible for every salesperson. Sometimes I have to take late evening calls with international clients.
What’s been the highlight of your career journey so far?
I was invited as guest lecturer at Amity University for their International Confluence 2020 to motivate their engineering students to learn about blockchain as a technology.
How would you say your Brunel experience has helped you to get where you are today?
My Brunel education has helped me big time as the exposure of studying with international students is something that we don’t get easily in our country. After studying at Brunel, I knew the world is small and we are all human no matter which country one comes from. I learned humanity and oneness and I am grateful for that.
In my career, everyone wanted to hire me at twice the package that my other Indian friends were getting. Also, NGO Universities invited me to work on projects and deliver lectures. It was easy to get international projects after updating my LinkedIn profile.
Why did you choose to study at Brunel and why would you recommend Brunel to others?
Staff in any department are very cooperative and supportive, even after I left Brunel. I had been in touch with the recruitment, alumni and administration staff for many years and they are always able to help.
I was also impressed with their personal tutor hours where every student gets personal attention for their dissertation or any project they are stuck on. I remember how a professor and my friend (who was a ‘topper’ of Brunel in 2012) helped with my dissertation by going out of their way for me.
What is your best memory of studying here?
My Mill Hall family. I only stayed for a few months in Mill Hall, but they were, and will remain, family to me always. I still haven’t found a replacement for my Brunel friends. They were there for me when my family could not be. From wiping tears to making meals and celebrating life together made my life beautiful in London. Those memories are closest to my heart that I will cherish forever and I would love to meet them again to relive that life.
If you could give one piece of advice to current Brunel students, what would that be?
Your dissertation is very important, so do a lot of research and take help from teachers, the previous year’s students or ‘toppers’ (those who perform highly) - they are very helpful. Get active on LinkedIn and learn technology just a bit. The most important tip is you guys are in London and in one of the most beautiful campuses of UK universities.
Cherish this time, live like this time will last in your memories forever. Your Brunel friends will be your best mates for a lifetime and you will miss them always as they are your ‘family’ while you are away from family. International boarders are for the bureaucracy but the utmost reality is that humans are human everywhere. So, meet them as a human and don't carry the baggage of your nationality while studying. Good luck!
What would be your top tip or key advice for new graduates as they begin their career journey after leaving Brunel?
Be active on LinkedIn always, be innovative and learn technology even if you are not from a technology or engineering background. Networking and technology help in the long run. Know where artificial intelligence and machine learning is being used and which is the latest tool for marketing automation, etc. Don’t get involved in corporate politics - after stepping in you may face this, but if you don’t feed this and work, then nothing can harm your progress.
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