Aleesha Malik

Were you always interested in attending university?

Yes, I was always interested in attending university as I had an interest in the field of fashion. Just the appeal of having a degree would mean I would be exposed to a lot of opportunities. I did pursue Fashion Technology unfortunately that was something that did not work out for me as I did not see myself progressing enough, so I decided to take a gap year. I took a step back and looked at all my options available and where I wanted to be. I reflected on my studies in sixth form, and I really enjoyed business and thought, “why don’t I pursue something in the business field?” I then researched and came across Business and Management at the University of Bradford.

Why did you choose the University of Bradford?

The University of Bradford is a good university as there are a lot of positive reviews. I have had family members who have studied at the University of Bradford, and they have a lot of encouraging appraisals of the university and its academia.

Can you tell me about your work experience?

I am currently working at a family florist I help with the financial aspect of the business. For example, the money that comes in, the bills, the payments, buying stocks, and overall, the management of the shop. I have learned and currently using numerous skills in practice.

I came across the summer placement opportunity and to be honest, I never believed I would get through. But I went through it and thought, “Morrisons...I’ve never really known much about them aside from the fact that we shop there”. During my placement at Morrisons, I was placed with the manufacturing team. Through my placement, I was able to visit four different factories and two of them are based in Bradford. Through liaising with different individuals, I was able to build my confidence. Working with the team was amazing because I got the opportunity to confidently communicate and collaboratively work with them.

Tell us about how you got into the job and what the application process was like?

I utilized the University of Bradford Career and Employability Services (CES), they supported me throughout my application process which was super helpful. I had some idea of what the application process would consist of however wanted further guidance and support with the interview and assessment centre. The CES helped me highlight what employers look for and what I should and should not be doing, which was very informative. It was good to know that help was available at every stage from the CES.

Did you face any challenges in your career journey so far?

I think when I started to apply for the placement, I did start thinking negatively about things - like, “what is so good about me that they will offer me the position?” When I thought about the assessment center, and I was told there will be group work and interviews, I started to think – “what if I do not do it right? My main concern was the interview because I had not done one before, so it did frighten me a bit. But when I had conducted the interview, I thought I had done my best, but at the same time I kept thinking, “oh, I have talked too much”. However, when I got the acceptance email, I started to think positively. I remember in my first few weeks of working I was thinking, “wow, everyone knows so much and is suited to their role. How am I supposed to blend in, because I do not know how to do certain things”. When my manager was away I was hesitant to speak to others as I was uncertain about what questions I should ask. However, as the weeks got by, I got more confident in asking questions and overall speaking to other team members.

I was uncertain about what I wanted to do after graduation and my manager was able to support and guide me. She informed me about the importance of networking and how I should be liaising with different departments and individuals. As I have completed the summer experience I will get fast tracked to Morrison’s graduate scheme. After completing my placement I received feedback on my performance from team members which was nice because they noticed all my input into the business.

Why do you think it is important to get work experience during university?

My placement was an eye opener, as it showed me that I need to consider what I want to do in the near future. Just knowing what options are available is useful. I knew that we had a CES, but I was not actively thinking about that. I used to think, “I need to get through my final year, and then I will think about it”. But in reality, it is something as a student you should be thinking of alongside your studies. Whether you choose to do a placement year or a couple of weeks of work experience, it is essential you have that snipped just to make sure you know where you are going.

What advice would you give our current students and graduates based on your experiences?

CES is available to all graduates for five years. I would say if you ever feel like you need the help, you should come back because they are there and they are fantastic. For the current students, first of all, take as much support and guidance as you want from the CES, and if an opportunity comes, take it. Sometimes, even if you think that it is something that you are not interested in, it will either guide you to what you are interested in, or it is something that you might find strength in. Reflecting back on my experience I originally started off my university journey thinking I would want to go down the fashion field however this was not the case which is ok. I took a step back and evaluated my options and choose Business and Management and now I am very happy. Whether your experiences are for a short or an extended period of time, it is important to remember every experience is an experience that will mold you and shape you. It will show you your strengths and weaknesses and it will provide you with the chance to reflect and grow as a person. I think you should use all the opportunities that are available to you and go ahead and find where you want to be because that’s the end goal.