Harris Mehmood

Were you always interested in attending university?

Before attending university, I was considering whether I should go or not. When selecting whether I wanted to go to university, I was told that I did not have to attend if I did not want to go. I was told it was a risky step, especially if I did get a degree but did not then utilize it. However, I still took the risk and decided to study. For me, just the idea of having a degree and having a head start really intrigued me. Also, I had some inspiration as well because my siblings also went to university.

Why did you choose the University of Bradford?

I chose the University of Bradford after a long and hard think. I went to Open Days at the University, and it is very convenient as I live local. I did do research on the University and found it had good reviews and rankings.

What made you choose that course?

I studied Marketing and honestly, I did have a hard time choosing what course to study. Being a BAME student, your parents will probably tell you to either be a doctor or engineer. They are really good courses and jobs...however, for me, I knew that it was something I did not want to do. So, when choosing the course, I looked at what I liked and upon thinking, I did realise that I do have a creative side. Marketing is all about creativity, selling products and advertising and from a young age, I have found that interesting.

How did the University of Bradford and GWB support guide you through your career journey?

I was really surprised with the University of Bradford because I do not think many universities offer the support and guidance that the University of Bradford provide. Because a lot of my friends have attended other universities, and when I tell them about my experience, they all get shocked. They say, “you get so many opportunities to get experience!”, like, for example, my internship. In terms of support, I remember the career and employability services (CES) discussed and explained everything to me. Honestly, the CES is what got me here, and the staff are brilliant. At the start, I was like a little kid - I had no experience, I had never had a job. The CES really helped me with my CV, with which I was able to get my internship. The internship was a really good boost in my career because it helped me understand what a marketing role consists of. Fast forward to now, even with my current role, I still got support from CES. Throughout each stage, I never felt that I was alone. For example, when I did my summer internship - this was my first job, so I did not know what to expect. The CES really helped me understand what employers look for and what work culture is. From my summer internship, I gained so much experience - not only did I develop my skills, but I also got the opportunity to expand my network.

After my summer internship, I also became a GWB project assistant. Working for GWB was really fun, and getting the opportunity to work alongside other students and hearing their experiences really gave me a boost of confidence. It makes you feel like you are not the only one. Just being around different types of people helps you adapt, and learn, and gives you an insight into the professional working world. I believe if I did not go through the summer internship and GWB assistant role, I would not be able to communicate effectively in my new role.

Can you tell me about your current role?

I am currently working for Italik which is an IT consultancy business based in Wetherby near Leeds. I accepted this role as fixed-term 6-9 months work to cover for a lady on maternity leave.  After three months into the role, I was offered a permanent job which was amazing.   I am now a permanent member of the staff.  As a BAME student, you might think that you do not want to be the odd one out and you do not want to feel different. This sometimes can have an effect on your confidence as well. However, the team is extremely friendly and welcoming.  I have had much support and mentoring at Italik and refreshingly there are several other colleagues from a similar background as me, as well as other cultures which I didn’t really expect.   Through this role, I can really see that I am getting the opportunity to develop my skills. My role includes creating marketing material such as LinkedIn posts, flyers, and managing social media posts. I also do a lot of web-designing, and consistently keep up with the latest trends.

What inspired or motivated you to apply for this role?

I was informed by the University of Bradford about my current role. At that time, I was working at a restaurant; even though it was not a graduate-level job, I was comfortable and knew my role was secure. However, the University of Bradford really helped me understand my potential and see how the role was suited for me. I would say the CES really inspired and, motivated me to take the role.

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

When applying for jobs, I found it to be an interesting journey. I would look at some job roles and think, “would I get that job role as a BAME student?”. You think you will get stereotyped, which did affect my confidence when applying for jobs. I have to say, when you apply for graduate jobs you do feel the pressure and you do start to think about what type of jobs you should apply for. Of course, if you need any guidance, don’t forget the CES is there to support you. I initially started off by applying for jobs on websites such as Indeed and Total Jobs, but I did not get far. However, as soon as I started to utilise the University of Bradford Job Teaser (now Handshake), that’s when I started to get job interviews.

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

When I started to apply for jobs, I initially felt lost. I did not know where you look and apply for jobs. I needed some guidance, and I went to the University of CES. They were able to give me the boost of confidence and guidance that I needed. As an undergraduate, I felt like there are much more experienced and valuable individuals out there, and I felt like I was at a disadvantage. I believe this is why you should take advantage of all the services available to you as a student and graduate. With these services, I would not recognise my potential.

Was the location of the job ever a potential barrier stopping you from getting where you wanted to be?

Initially, I was concerned that with the business being located in Wetherby – 30 miles from home I thought this might be an issue.  It transpires that almost all staff are working remotely – not just because of the pandemic, but as an IT company they are ideally placed and equipped to work this way.  At some point, we may return to the office, but perhaps in a hybrid fashion.   For now, I would say that the location is not a barrier.   At the start, I did think I would find a job in Bradford. For some reason, I was thinking there are 100’s of marketing firms in Bradford. The thing is...there are many opportunities, you just have to look everywhere and be open-minded. What I would say to others is that at the start of your career journey, do not stay in your comfort zone. I think it is very important to branch out. Not only can you learn about the role itself, but you can learn about traveling and independence. You should not let location stop you from doing whatever you want.

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

I would say to take advantage of the services the University of Bradford offers - do not ignore them. For example, do not ignore the CES emails that you get. You should maybe first start off by getting your CV checked - that’s what I did. You are paying all this money to attend university, so you should utilise all of its services.  There is such a lot of help out there – make the most of it.