Learning beyond the classroom through societies

In this blog, undergraduate student Aryan Ballgobin reflects on his experience joining societies, sharing how these experiences have allowed him to grow, both personally and professionally. 

As a second-year undergraduate studying Accounting and Finance at WBS, I must first say that student life extends far beyond academics and the lecture hall. From my personal experience, I’ve had the opportunity to explore and be involved in societies that have played a significant role in my personal and professional development. 

Through my active involvement in the Warwick Hyperloop Society and my current membership of the Finance and Hedge Fund Society at Warwick, I have developed a range of important skills that will be useful in my future career. Skills I've gained include communication, collaboration, technical understanding, and leadership. While workshops and events with the Hedge Fund and Finance Society have given me valuable exposure to financial markets and perspectives on different careers like consulting and investment banking, Warwick Hyperloop has challenged me to apply these skills in a practical environment. Together, I’d definitely say these experiences have led me to gain very useful skills I can carry throughout my life and professional career. 

Stepping outside finance: why I joined Warwick Hyperloop Society 

Well, first of all, when exploring societies, I wanted to look beyond those related to academia. I didn’t want to be hearing financial terms from my course while participating in a society. When choosing a society, I wanted it to be a place that offered fresh perspectives, where I could learn something new, possibly about a different industry.

Warwick Hyperloop Society, a student-led project society, had been recommended to me by a friend, as it offered the opportunity to learn new skills and be part of a team working on actual projects aimed at achieving high-speed transportation globally, while also being economically beneficial and environmentally friendly, with zero direct emissions. This idea captured my interest because I wanted to enter a new field focused on real-life projects, where I could actively contribute and gain hands-on experience through interviews and applications to join the team – something less available in finance and hedge fund societies, which are more focused on learning and theory.

Learning through teamwork and responsibility 

The team I was with at Warwick Hyperloop was the Sponsorship/Business team. Our main task was reaching out to potential sponsors, such as small to larger organisations, to gain financial assistance or technical support for the project. Working on this team helped me learn more about the construction of partnerships, especially the significance of good communication skills while delivering the project. The cold calling also helped me feel more confident.

On certain days, we engaged in multiple business calls, highlighting the project's need for funding. It was awkward at first, but it became one of the job's most useful parts because it taught me to communicate clearly and professionally. 

Teamwork has been a big part of my experience as well. We had a weekly meeting to review progress and plan our next steps. We used cold emailing at first, but I suggested making a cold calling script and starting to contact businesses. Seeing a plan like this succeed has given me more confidence to share my ideas and has helped me improve my problem-solving and critical thinking skills. 

Gaining financial exposure through the Hedge Fund and Finance Society 

Through my membership of the Warwick Hedge Fund and Finance societies, I’ve had the chance to explore different areas within finance, particularly Investment Banking and Consulting. Attending workshops and talks helped shape my career thinking and gave me a clearer idea of what I enjoy and what might not be the right fit for me. Sessions such as trading workshops also helped build my financial literacy and supported what I was learning academically. 

These experiences also helped boost my confidence outside the classroom. During a London bootcamp at The Shard, I worked on a case study and delivered a stock-pitch style presentation to Unilever employees. Receiving positive feedback on my communication made me realise how much societies can help develop skills like presenting and articulating ideas clearly –skills that aren’t always built through academics alone. 

Final reflections 

Joining societies has helped me as a person, allowing me to meet like-minded people, gain confidence, and learn through experience rather than theory. I would recommend that every student gets involved in a society that interests them, as the best way to learn as a person is outside of your comfort zone.