Advice from a fellow UCLian

Hello fellow UCLians,

I hope that you are enjoying the final chapter of education. As with most students, you probably haven’t thought much beyond your summer exams (I definitely didn’t) and after graduating in Chemical Engineering, I had no idea what I wanted to do. Fast forward three years, and having switched my career path on many occasions, here I am working as a Business Development Manager at MVF.

Entering the ‘real world’ after learning about it for so long can be quite scary but is also very exciting. After all, it’s your time to impart the knowledge you have learnt and see what difference you can make in your chosen field. It’s good to get a feel for what kind of work environment you thrive in, for example, I know I like to work with super clear targets as I hate not knowing if I’m doing well or not. Being in sales, all my progress can be measured by a single number and I love it. Our annual companywide trip to Ibiza is also a nice motivator along the way!

Here are some things that I wish someone had told me after graduating:

• Take the time to think about your personal aims and where you want to be in two to three years time. If you see yourself managing a team in the future think twice before taking a job that doesn’t offer good career progression or training opportunities. The trick is to find a profession which suits your personal and career goals; you will be much happier at work if you feel you are on track to achieving your aims.
• Travelling and charity work give you invaluable experiences and skills that will make you a fantastic asset to their business. Don’t feel pressured into taking the first job you are offered as gaining more life experience after uni can put you in a better position to understand exactly what sort of job you will be happiest in.

• Culture is King! Anyone can go to work and make money, but company culture is what’s really going to have an impact on your day to day life. Deciding which company to join is as important, if not more so than choosing a university. The reality is that you will be working with these people eight hours a day, five days a week, so make sure they’re a good bunch. Do your research and look to join companies that encourage a close-knit community and acknowledge the importance of personal development.

Well folks, I hope I’ve provided you with some useful advice. If you have any questions, or just want to chat about potential positions here at MVF, please email our People Team careers@mvfglobal.com.

Good luck with all your exams!

Amit