Posted: Thursday 8th June 2017
Sumyiah Ahmed, Economics and Business Finance 2010 graduate at Senior Financial Crimes Assurance Analyst at Wells Fargo
It’s fair to say that Clearing is no longer simply a route to university for students who didn’t achieve their predicted grades (although this is how I ended up at Brunel) ; it’s an opportunity for students to apply for a place if they’d like to change institutions or to apply directly if they are yet to decide on a university.
Below I’ve provided insight to my experiences of Clearing, Brunel University and the positive impact the university has had on my career to date.
Choosing Brunel in Clearing
When I found out that I had been rejected from Southampton University, I cried for three days. So many emotions were running through my mind, “I’ll never get into a better University”, “I’ve ruined my career prospects”, and “I’ll never meet my future spouse”. I felt like my entire 10-year plan had been snatched out of my hands.
I still vividly remember the phone call I had with a woman from Brunel’s Clearing department. Her friendly tone and delight on hearing that I wanted to study Economics at the University. It was at this point I realised that I had no need to panic. It’s true what they say, when one door closes, another opens.
I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to study at Brunel. (However, I never met my future spouse there, but you can’t have it all).
Fun, friendship and independence
Oh what fun I had at Brunel, but as this is being published I shall omit some of the details! I made friends that I still keep in touch with every single day. I learnt how to cook (this divides opinion), budget, self-study, and most importantly to me, manage the direction of my career.
The positive impact Brunel has had on my career
With Brunel, I was able to undertake a placement year, which was at Newedge brokerage. This proved invaluable experience that would be the foundation of my career within Financial Crime Prevention.
Graduation came at a time when the full effect of the economic downturn was being felt in graduate recruitment, so I feel exceptionally fortunate that my year in industry and degree allowed me to secure a job at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. I started work before my graduation ceremony, and all due to the skill set I had developed during my time at Brunel.
Brunel is the perfect environment for anyone to thrive. Grasp every opportunity, and not even a global recession will be able to hold you back.
Learn more about the professional development opportunities available with Brunel.