Mehr Hussain (MSc Economics and Strategy for Business 2017) is a true self-starter, with a refreshing attitude to learning. At her best when pushed beyond her comfort zone, Mehr is determined to continue learning and improving at every stage of her career. In fact she gave up a promising job at one of the Big 4 as she wanted to be challenged even further. It is this attitude, as well as her hands on approach, which has seen her career flourish.
Career aspirations
“I thrive when I am in a job where I learn every day. I very much enjoy my current role as a Financial Analyst at Gulf Islamic Investments, as every day I am given new tasks and each one requires something different. There is no one way of working. I am using and developing new skills all the time.
“It’s a job which excites me. I might be lacking some skills, but I am ready to learn – give me anything and I will take it on! I came here to learn from my colleagues and they are happy to share their knowledge. I have seen people start a new job before and, in wanting to make a good impression, they pretend to know everything. But they can be afraid to ask for help when they need it. My generation of millennials is especially guilty of this as we feel we have something to prove. On my first day in this role, I went up to my manager and explained that I didn’t know it all and I wouldn’t have all the answers, but that I would work hard until I did. Working with others provides such a steep learning curve, and that is certainly something I took from my time at Imperial.”
Continuous learning
Brought up in Dubai, Mehr studied first at Sheffield University and then Imperial College Business School, completing her MSc in Economics and Strategy for Business in 2017.
“My undergraduate degree was very theoretical. I wanted to know more about the real-life application of economics and that is what intrigued me about the course at Imperial. It was the complete opposite and based on practical group projects, conversations and team work. We focused on analysing trends in the market place and real-life examples.
“It was great to be surrounded by people from all around the world. You get to learn how people do business in Hong Kong, Canada and Europe for example. You also learn the art of compromise and dealing with different personalities and opinions. It was great preparation for work life. And of course being in London you are surrounded by new people and new experiences every day!”
How Imperial prepared me for my job
“I work in an advisory role in the investment sector for private equity, real estate and venture capital. It is important that I have a good working relationship with my investors and communicate with them effectively. My time at Imperial and the time I spent with my cohort prepared me well, as I was encouraged to get stuck in. Sometimes my work is completely new to me, but my Imperial experience taught me to not panic, to take a step back, breathe and look for a creative solution.
My alumni community
“As a cohort we bonded really well. We spent a lot of time together, both in and out of the classroom. We are all still such close friends and continue to stay in touch and meet up when we can.
It was great to be surrounded by people from all around the world. You get to learn how people do business in Hong Kong, Canada and Europe for example. You also learn the art of compromise and dealing with different personalities and opinions. It was great preparation for work life. And of course being in London you are surrounded by new people and new experiences every day!
“I always love to meet people from Imperial. And I always advise people to go to there – hands down no questions about it!
“To be part of the wider alumni community is so important to me – the connections I have are invaluable. I know I can contact anyone from my cohort and tell them I am going anywhere in the world and they will put me in touch with someone who can help me.
“I would describe it as a unique community. I will always be connected to Imperial and have a bond with my fellow alumni. I love the fact that even so far away from London and Imperial, the Business School is still connecting people around the world!”
Would you like to get involved and share your story with the Imperial community? Then here’s how:
Use #ImperialMeansBusiness on social media to share:
- Your proudest Imperial moment
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- The alumni connections you’ve made
- How your alumni community has supported you
- Your entrepreneurial expertise
- Anything else that makes you proud to be a part of the community
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