Yaseen Amjad graduated in 2020 with a BSc (Hons) Banking and Finance. Yaseen has made the most of the opportunities he’s encountered in the workplace, along with using his degree content, since starting in the world of work. He now works as a Finance Business Partner at McVities. When he started looking for roles the Covid job hunting landscape proved difficult and not having direct finance experience was also a challenge. Here Yaseen is pictured on the roof of King’s Cross station while working for Network Rail.

What was your first post-university role?

Getting a finance role after my degree was hard because I only had retail work experience. So, my first role after university was as an Assistant Project Manager on a government Kick Start programme set up due to Covid, so I began working on that for Network Rail. Within months of being there word got out about my degree background in banking & finance and a finance opportunity came up. I got there by taking a chance on this government work scheme that only offered 30 hours per week for six months on minimum wage.

And how did you get from that point to where you are now?

I have changed roles a couple of times so far. I am a Finance Business Partner for the second largest bakery in Europe now, Harlesden McVities.

I worked on my government scheme for about 3 months and then I was head-hunted for an internal finance role an Assistant Management Accountant. I got there by networking, and although I was very shy at university I really made the most of opportunities to meet people and get my name and reputation out there at Network Rail. In the end people approached me about the management accountant role because my background and reputation had got out there thanks to managers shouting about how good I was and me meeting people through ‘coffee roulette’. Once I was in that role, I was actually surpised by how much of my university management accounting module I put into practice.

The new job I took on was such a change, I was travelling to London every Tuesday morning on the train and working down there until Thursday evening. The travel was tiring but really worthwhile. I did that for about 9 months and then I became a Finance Business Partner for the eastern region overseeing 17 projects at one time and managing the accounts and cost centres for all projects preparing budget for the following years doing monthly captured, posted and monitored capital expenditure on large ongoing projects each month.

The 7am starts and waking for that early train was a shock to the system, but I realised it was early in my career and I had to make sacrifices. It was during Covid so I felt I should take every opportunity, every risk and challenge. I just felt like sometimes you adjust your timetable or perspective and take the chance. It was worth it for me as I was also getting the London salary, so financially and in terms of experience, that travel made sense.

Moving into my role at McVities has been a career highlight so far. I’ve had my hard work recognised and that has built my confidence. I also enjoy the free biscuits I now get, and seeing new biscuits being trialled.

What tips would you give to our current students?

Don’t be too fixed on your first role, a career is a journey. Once you’re in, like I was at Network Rail, people hear about you, your managers shout about your good work, people ask about your background. Having any role is an amazing way to network and open doors for yourself. Take the opportunities, I had to put myself out there unlike my shy self at university. Networking both in person and on LinkedIn made that difference for me. I’m always updating my profile and adding new contacts on there too.

Just because your first job isn’t related to your degree it isn’t the end of the world, believe me, your first job isn’t going to be the end of it. Your career is a wiggly road to get where you want to be, so don’t be put off by it not being a finance role because you can get there.

There is lots of support available at Manchester Met no matter what stage you’ve got to in thinking about your career after graduating. Whether you’re looking for that first bit of finance experience, exploring how to apply your current skills, ready to take on a work experience placement, or you’re at the stage of looking for grad jobs, take a look at the latest from Careers at https://www.mmu.ac.uk/careers/students