Making connections and gaining skills for the future

Vinay appreciates the range and flexibility his degree has offered, particularly in year 3 when he was able to focus his module choices following a summer internship.

“Having been exposed to the world of investments, in the third year I chose modules that were more relevant to what I might be doing after uni, such as alternative investments, futures and options, derivatives trading, and programming modules.

“Overall the degree has provided a lot of variety and it has allowed me to have a foot in Southampton Business School as well, through modules like accounting. I’ve been able to meet people from across the University and that’s something I’ve enjoyed.”

For Vinay, meeting people and sharing knowledge have been key to his university experience, and he’s made the most of every opportunity.

For example, having learned to use the department’s Bloomberg terminals during a first-year module, Vinay embedded his knowledge by teaming up with fellow students to take part in trading challenges. “We invested a virtual pot of a million dollars over a month, and then saw which teams made the best returns. It was good teamwork experience and I got to meet some really great people.”

He also shares his technical knowledge as a Bloomberg student ambassador. This involves explaining the terminals to open day visitors, and providing any support his fellow students might need for coursework or competitions.

“It’s been really rewarding. Through teaching people you understand it a lot better yourself, and Bloomberg terminals are used pretty much everywhere in finance so it’s really applicable to the kind of roles I’m interested in.”

Joining the Southampton Student Equity Fund offered Vinay another route to learning more about investment. 

“The great thing is that it’s led by students who have learned something themselves and they’re just giving back. I think that networking effect between students really drives success and makes the university experience better.” 

As president of the student Economics Society, Vinay has been keen to foster a networking and knowledge sharing culture, while developing his own professional skills.

As well as formal socials, football matches and pub quizzes, he has been involved in organising professional events, inviting people from companies to give talks or run workshops, and interviewing past students about their career journeys.

The Society, in collaboration with department staff, has also started to run drop-in sessions where Vinay and his peers advise students who have questions about their studies.

“Being president of the Society and leading a team of 15 has been incredibly rewarding from an employability perspective and on the soft skills development side. Going into the world of work those skills are extremely transferable.”

Building his skills and networks has proved a successful strategy for Vinay – in a competitive job market he has secured a graduate role at the asset management company where he did his internship.