Tell us about your educational and/or career journey since you graduated from Brunel?
Securing my first job was a challenging yet invaluable learning experience. It required patience, discipline, and perseverance. I applied to numerous positions and attended many interviews without giving up. During this time, I also worked part-time at Sainsbury's, which helped me develop essential soft skills that proved beneficial in my career.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
A typical day at work involves analysing data to develop commercial cases, collaborating with clients to enhance their business profitability, and preparing both internal and external reports. This multifaceted role requires a keen eye for detail, strong analytical skills, and effective communication to ensure successful outcomes.
What’s been the highlight of your career journey so far?
Migrating data, pricing of website of 52 clients in the space of 48 hours post news of our major wholesaler going into administration in the early periods of COVID. Was tasked to work with the small team who were working amidst the downsizing of the company post furlough to switch from our major wholesaler to another but we were given 48 hours to switch which my role was to do all clients pricing on website and switching of products for their customers to make the switch a seamless experience. What felt like a daunting and agonizing 48 hours became a talking point of success in later years including today.
How would you say your Brunel experience has helped you to get where you are today?
Not only did certain aspects of my degree helped me but the whole aspect of coping with pressure, deadlines, prioritisation actually helped me to adapt in my current workplace. As a student, we actually blind ourselves by seeing that as a skill but it is one of few important soft skills that you can use as part of your interview questions when asked about experience.
Why did you choose to study at Brunel and why would you recommend Brunel to others?
Brunel is a good university. As I am a Londoner, it's easy to travel to and when I first applied to university, it was rising the ranks in Mathematics. I was blessed to meet some of the lecturers who have helped me along the journey and that was one of the reasons why I chose to stay at Brunel to complete my Masters.
What is your best memory of studying here?
The friends I made have become my lifelong friends however the lecturers I met have been unforgettable and a blessing to help me achieve the grades I wanted.
If you could give one piece of advice to current Brunel students, what would that be?
Never give up. Even if it is not getting the grades you want on an exam or failing an interview, it builds as part of a step to bigger success. Use those failures and learn from it so that you know what to do when you next get the opportunity to tackle them.
What would be your top tip or key advice for new graduates as they begin their career journey after leaving Brunel?
Networking. Go to as many networking events as you can. Join groups on LinkedIn, go to events and just talk to people. Don't be shy and just be interested and show your enthusiasm and passion. Some of the networks you build now will play a part towards your future.
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