For new students, my advice would be simple: get involved in as much as possible. Introduce yourself to people, attend taster sessions, join societies and take advantage of every opportunity available. The relationships you build often become one of the most rewarding parts of university life, and the connections formed in your first year can continue long after graduation.
After graduation, I accepted a graduate role with Portman Finance Group as a finance broker. The position involves helping small and medium-sized businesses access suitable finance solutions across the UK. While the company recruits graduates from a variety of academic backgrounds, I believe my master's degree gave me a strong advantage during the recruitment process. The knowledge I gained about lending, economic conditions and business decision-making helped me demonstrate credibility and commercial understanding.
Looking back, the course prepared me both intellectually and professionally. The emphasis on applied coursework was particularly valuable because it developed practical problem-solving skills rather than simply testing memory. Combined with my involvement in societies, sport and the wider university community, the programme gave me the technical knowledge, confidence and professional skills needed to begin my career. I feel well prepared to enter a role where analytical thinking, credibility and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world situations are essential from day one.