A woman smiles at the camera in front of a blue sky background

Name: Helly Shah

Home country: India

"It might sound cliche, but I always wanted to study abroad, at least for 1 year, to experience the diverse culture and step out of my comfort zone. This is why I decided to do my masters from the UK. When I was about to finish my Bachelors, the pandemic hit and I unfortunately had to delay my plans- but it wouldn't stop me from coming here! I came to Glasgow in February 2021, when it was the peak of COVID. Even though it was tough, the people in Glasgow were so friendly and welcoming, it instantly felt like home.

I was never a 'walking person', but after coming here, I started walking everywhere and now it is one of my favourite hobbies - you can meet new people, explore new cafes or discover new places around the city."

 Why did you choose the Adam Smith Business School? 

The diversity, inclusion, professional focus and values is what attracted me to study here, with it also being one of the oldest Universities in Europe. The professors, qualifications, and triple accreditation were only the add ons on the long list of all the achievements the University had achieved over the years, so it was a no brainer for me to choose the Adam Smith Business School over any other. Not to mention that Adam Smith, one of the most well-known economists, and the father of modern Economics studied at the University of Glasgow. 

What did you enjoy the most about your programme? How has your degree helped you in your career?  

The thing I enjoyed the most about my programme was how diverse the modules are, and the professors who are always ready to help you and give you honest feedback. The programme has really enhanced my knowledge about businesses whether it be about starting a new firm, learning about small-medium enterprises, or a large firm- it covered all the aspects. This degree definitely has helped me in my career and my ability to look at situations from different angles.

What have you been up to since graduating from the Business School? 

After graduating in April 2022, I started my new job at Morgan Stanley as an Operations Analyst. I was fortunate enough to kick start my career at MS and it would have not been possible without studying, expanding my knowledge and building confidence at the University of Glasgow. 

What is your top piece of advice for current students – our future alumni? 

Always be open to new opportunities, and never be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. From my experience, you should always grab opportunities as and when they come and always be up for taking difficult tasks. Networking is also a very important thing which can help you get out in the world and find new opportunities.

Tell us about your fondest memory at the Business School. 

My fondest memory would be meeting new people from so many different backgrounds. Even though I did not have the chance to meet all of them, I learned more about different cultures and experienced more new environments in the one year of my degree than I ever did in my life before. I also cannot forget the moment of submitting my dissertation- another very fond memory! 


First published: 12 June 2024