Namra Anwar

Please can you start by introducing yourself and explaining your current role?

My name is Namra and I currently work as an Assistant Investment Analyst for the West Yorkshire Pension Fund. My role is super dynamic, involving a lot of reading and researching, but I primarily focus on UK equities (companies in the UK that are publicly listed). Parallel to researching new stocks, I also monitor the current stocks we hold in our portfolio every quarter and then assess the UK fund’s performance compared to the FTSE All Share Index. So, a lot of number crunching and a lot of reading!

What inspired/motivated you to apply for this role?

I’ve always had a natural instinct of asking myself ‘why?’ about everything and anything. Combined with studying the CFA qualification, this job has enabled me to delve deeper behind the numbers and understand the bigger picture.

How would you describe your journey of finding a job?

Quite challenging as the job market for graduates is super saturated but after a tonne of applications later, I’ve finally landed myself at a place that I genuinely like working for! The careers department at the University of Bradford helped me compile my cv, which I’ve only had to make a few tweaks to.

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

The application process consisted of delivering a presentation based on my own research to a panel, which was my first one ever! But the interviewees were so welcoming I could tell from the start that I would get along with them all.

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

I guess the major obstacle I faced was my lack of experience. I tried to find an internship that was within my field but due to the level of competition, I was unable to secure one. However, since my degree is broad, the majority of the interviewees were accepting of my diverse experience. Moreover, I participated in all the opportunities the University had to offer. From a student rep, to a society co-founder, once you rack up all the mini roles I’ve had, it does accumulate to a lot to talk about during the interview stage.

Another major issue is that the BAME community is heavily underrepresented in the industry that I work in. As a fresh graduate, representation is vital as not only does it give you confidence, but it also enables you to see what it takes to progress as the obstacles they faced are a mirror of yours. But, I am hopeful that in the near future more candidates from the BAME community are hired, and I would be more than happy to contribute to the change!

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

I’ve been working from home since the pandemic so the location is as good as it gets for me! But since I’m fairly new to the role, I would have preferred to have more face-to-face interaction just to pick up a few tips and tricks on the Bloomberg Terminal/ Microsoft Excel.

Were you always interested in attending university? Why did you choose the University of Bradford?

I chose the University of Bradford due to its proximity to home and because of its global recognition of the School of Management. The diverse cohort of students meant that there was more than one way of finding a solution!

What did you study at the University of Bradford? What made you choose that course?

I enrolled in studying accounting and finance, which complimented my A-level studies of Maths, Sociology, and Business Studies. The modules in my degree had the perfect combination of qualitative and quantitative studies that enabled me to perfect my narrative. During the time of selecting my degree, Brexit was in its early stages, so having studied economics, business ethics, and financial reporting in my degree, I can now understand better the implications of such unprecedented events. The pandemic, unquestionably, has changed the way we work, spend, and socialise, so no doubt I’ll have to go back to the charts again to see what stage of the economic cycle we are now in!

How did the University of Bradford/Career Service support and guide you?

The career services are impeccable at what they do! Because the industry I wanted to work in was very specific, they made sure I was in the loop of any upcoming events/workshops which I may have missed otherwise. Moreover, assisting me with my cv and cover letter, they emphasized on the skills that were required in order to work with securities, which helped me to shape my career path and embark on extra curriculum activities that would enable me to become a more serious candidate. They have always gone above and beyond for me and ensured that I get the most of my time at the university.

Why do you think it is important to get work experience whilst studying at university?

I do acknowledge that the graduate market is flooded with both graduates and postgraduates, however, work experience is an opportunity for you to realise where your strengths and weaknesses truly lie. Many skills are transferrable, so do not hold back from gaining experience in a field that is unknown to you. Companies look for resilience and determination, and work experience gives you a glimpse of what those two characteristics really require. Work experience is the bridge between knowing what works for you and what it takes to work; either way you benefit from the trade-off!

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

More than anything, you need passion to get you through the days you stay back and the days you rise early. I am balancing my professional qualification with my job and my social life which could only have been possible if I genuinely enjoyed what I do! The learning curve is super steep after graduating and self-education never stops so don’t be afraid to venture out and take risks as it’ll only benefit you in the future. The pandemic is redefining business models and our life models so take this as an opportunity for you to discover something new!