Alumni Insight: Pranav's journey at WBS

09 May 2019

BSc Accounting & Finance alumnus Pranav shares how the multicultural environment at WBS prepared him for negotiating with overseas clients in his current career.

I graduated with a BSc in Accounting & Finance in 2018. My love for numbers and its ability to narrate the financial strength and wellbeing of a firm led me to pursue finance modules at WBS. I continue to learn and appreciate the discipline as I prepare for my CFP (Certified Financial Planning) exams, which are due soon.

Societies played a major role in my time at university. I was actively involved with The Warwick Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Society, Enactus Warwick, Warwick Raising and Giving (RAG), and The Warwick Indian Music Ensemble. In my last year at Warwick, I also cycled from London to Paris with Warwick RAG to fundraise for Breast Cancer Now. After raising £1100 to increase awareness of breast cancer, we covered 220 miles after 3 days of intense cycling. It was a rewarding experience to cycle past scenic French villages and historical bridges and canals, which formed such an integral part of World War II history.

Pranav infront of Eiffel TowerWhilst a student at WBS, I gained practical understanding of accountancy through an internship at a Chartered Accountancy firm in India during a term break, which helped me in my final year for modules such as Auditing, Governance and Accountability.

The WBS CareersPlus team was a constant source of support during my years at WBS. Their access to applications like VMock helps students get tailored advice based on their CV and interests, and gives you useful pointers when you are putting your CV together and preparing for job applications. I attended a number of career fairs and talks, which ranged from marketing and finance to technology related careers. It was here that I realised that the Business School has managed to build credible contacts in almost every industry and field around the globe, this international network is such an advantage for WBS students.

Spending three years in the multicultural environment offered by Warwick has helped me to relate and interact with overseas clients and buyers of our family-run tea export business that I am now a part of. I am in charge of acquiring new clients in existing markets or penetrating new markets altogether. Alongside this, I have continued my technical training of tea tasting, blending and grading.

Pranav working at family businessIn an effort to market Bhansali and Company (the family business) and its operation, I had the opportunity to represent the company at the ‘Gulfood’ Trade Show in Dubai - the world's biggest annual food and hospitality show. Such networking events are the perfect launch pad for new business opportunities. Another aspect of my job profile is to make our firm more visible online via social media pages. We set up our website from scratch and are trying to increase our online presence through regular LinkedIn posts. I am currently working on setting up an Instagram account, which not only appeals to business firms but also to retail end consumers as well.

My advice to freshers starting at Warwick Business School is don’t be overwhelmed by all the activities and noise around you but focus on your goals and work continuously towards them, since the volume of opportunities available to students is truly infinite. The exposure to co-curricular activities, societies, awards and programmes backed up by world-class teaching and learning facilities has made my experience at The University of Warwick a truly remarkable chapter in my life.

If would like to find out more about our courses, why not download our Undergraduate Brochure?