Faraz Shahid

MSc Engineering Management, 2014
Senior Manager-Technology Consulting, EY

Tell us about your current job. Describe what you do on a typical day.

I help clients in various sectors take on their biggest, most complex challenges in terms of how they operate, and how they will operate into the future with the new world of technology that we are all entering. Day to day, I work with clients to establish how they need to adapt their processes, their ways of working, the technology they use to support their operations so they can remain competitive on the global stage. I then work to develop their strategies into reality by leading delivery of their product development, by working with designers, analysts, engineers, testers and project managers to bring their vision to life.

 Faraz Shahid-min

 

 

How do you feel your degree helped you get a job after graduation?

Getting a Masters Degree is the first but not the only step to becoming a Chartered Engineer. A whole new world of opportunities opened up to me when I was graduating with a Masters Degree that differentiated me amongst my peers.  

We Are Birmingham Alumni

What were the best things about your course?

The different perspectives of how to solve problems from all around the world! I was fortunate to have a very mixed group of classmates from all around the world who all brought their own ways of doing things. This gave insight into how different cultures tackle challenges and more importantly how there are many ways to solving a problem. In the end it comes down to how should I best solve this problem for the end users.

What skills from your degree do you think you use most in your current job?

For me, the most important skills gained were operations and risk management as well as strategic thinking. It is critical in my role to always align what is being developed to the bigger picture of what we are trying to resolve and improve.

What are your top tips for securing a job in the United Kingdom or your home country?

Maximise the quality of your application, use the tools provided by the university to help create your CV, attend the careers fairs to build contacts and understand the different opportunities out there, build your CV according to the needs of the opportunity, try to make your application as perfect as you can, take your time to get it right.

How has your career developed since graduating from the University of Birmingham? Did you need to take additional training on top of your degree?

Like many fields, in Engineering you never stop learning and you never stop training. Since graduating from University, I have worked on so many different types of projects, doing so many different types of roles, in multiple sectors. Your degree provides you with the foundations of how you can take your first steps in the professional world. Don’t worry about making mistakes, this is how we learn best, so enjoy the journey and before you know it, you’ll be leading changes for the future and maybe taking on the biggest of challenges in your field.

What advice would you give to current and prospective students looking to work in your sector?

The piece of advice I hear most often is, “be curious”. This really means, explore the different opportunities, try everything, even if you don’t like it from the first look as you’ll likely learn something important, or at least you’ll make strong connections. The piece of advice I would give prospective students is, enjoy the challenge and maintain the highest standards in everything that you do.

What advice would you give to current students studying on your degree programme?

Enjoy your studies and give it your very best effort. It’s only one year of your life, but a very important year that can influence a lot. Don’t think too much about the future and enjoy the moment.  

What would you recommend students should do at university, over and above their academic study, to make them more employable in the graduate market?

Learn and develop skills in your own time and develop good habits. Developing good habits when you’re young means they are much more likely to stick with you throughout life, and you’ll be thankful that you did.

Did you take advantage of support services offered by the University for example Careers Network and Wellbeing, and if so, what impact did they have on you?

Careers networks at university are essential. They will give you a direct insight on where you can progress into and provide you with a clear pathway. I was offered my graduate programme after applying to a company that I found at a University careers fair.

What are your fondest memories of the University and what would you say to anyone currently considering studying at Birmingham?

The University is very big! It has so much to offer. Explore all the different buildings, the different departments, the different people in each of them. My fondest moments were studying with my friends in all the different buildings to find our own space and then going to play badminton as group of 15 in the sports hall.

What was your favourite things about Birmingham the city? How did it compare to your expectations?

Birmingham has always been my home, and the University area is my favourite. I didn’t realise that the friends I would make there from all around the world, I would be visiting now as I travel around the world. Most recently I visited friends in Indonesia and Japan on my adventures.

What extracurricular activities did you get involved in as a student?

I joined the Film Society to enjoy great movies from around the world. Something I never thought I would do! Also, badminton as a group of 15 in the summer was fantastic.

Please tell us about your experience studying and living away from home.

Although I did not live away from home, many of my university friends were doing so, and so I would show them all around Birmingham, and all around the country. These memories will stick with us for the rest of our lives.

Why did you originally apply to Birmingham?

The prestige and the course. The University of Birmingham is a globally recognised University and getting a Masters Degree would unlock Chartered Engineering status for me in the future. 

 

You could inspire our students