Although Jay Mathur knew he wanted to pursue a career in management, it wasn't until his invaluable placement year, which he spent at the Bank of New York Mellon in London, that he discovered his professional calling in the corporate finance world. Having attended Bath under the prestigious Jubilee Scholarship — a British Council and UK Government-funded scholarship programme that was introduced to provide financial support for 60 Indian students — Jay has since graduated and lives in the UAE where he's built a successful career in the investments sector.
We spoke to Jay about his placement and scholarship experience, as well as his advice for other students hoping to follow the same path.
Why did you choose to study at Bath?
I chose to study at the University of Bath for several reasons. Experienced faculty members, excellent infrastructure, strong track record of placements, a highly ranked Business School and a global student population were some of the main factors that influenced my decision to study at Bath.
I really liked the fact that my programme at Bath, MSc in Advanced Management Practice, emphasised learning real-world skills by combining coursework with a 20-week professional placement.
Did you have a particular career in mind when you chose your course?
I chose my course because I had a broad vision to pursue a career related to management. However, I was not very clear about what exactly I wanted to do within the sector. During my placement at the Bank of New York Mellon in London, I took an active interest in corporate finance and realised that it was my professional calling. Thanks to my course, I was able to understand my right career fit.
Can you tell us about your experience of studying here?
I cherish my time at Bath. I enjoyed learning from seasoned faculty and spending time in a diverse classroom environment. I was a regular at the Sports Training Village and I loved its infrastructure. I was also part of the Postgraduate Association and attended almost all the events the association organised.
I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to live in the beautiful city of Bath. My favourite thing to do in Bath was to walk around and explore the local bars and restaurants.
What was your experience as an international student studying in the UK?
The UK is very welcoming to international students. It has a diverse student population and you meet people from all over the world. The highlight of my stay was the friendships I made in Bath.
I was lucky to have been awarded a full scholarship, called the Jubilee Scholarship, from the UK Government and the British Council. I had friends who had been awarded scholarships from the University directly.
My advice to prospective students will be to make full use of scholarships and other similar facilities. During my time at Bath, I realised that the University is very proactive in ensuring that education is made accessible to all students.
Describe your career journey since graduating.
After completing my course at Bath, I decided to study further and moved to the US to pursue a degree in oil and gas finance. I now live in UAE where I’ve been working for the past eight years. I currently work in the investments sector managing an investment fund that is based locally.
A typical day at work involves researching the public markets, managing investment portfolios, developing new investment strategies and meeting prospective clients to raise funds.
How did your studies help you to develop?
Education sets the right foundation for one to build on both professionally and personally. In my case, my course at Bath provided me with the necessary skill set to become a better manager. Professionally, this has helped me immensely as my current role requires a high degree of managerial excellence.
The experiences I gained at Bath via interactions with professors and other students have played a pivotal role in shaping my outlook and understanding. This has had a profound impact on my ability to adapt to different situations and navigate them better.
I worked closely with the placements team during my course because a 20-week placement was a built-in feature of my master’s programme. I realised that the University had deep relationships with several employers in the UK and the placements team was very hands-on in ensuring that students were well prepared for the interview process. The support I received from the placements team in preparing my resume and before interviews was invaluable.
What advice would you give to prospective students thinking about studying your course at Bath?
My advice to prospective students is to make full use of the opportunity without putting too much stress on yourself. As much as it is important to focus on the long-term, I think it is equally important to recognise the value of the experiences available at Bath so try to maximise your time at the University.
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