What was the best thing about your course?

When studied together, the economics and mathematics elements of the course give you a good grounding to analyse the world from a quantitative and qualitative viewpoint. Having the ability to solve a problem and then model the solution numerically is a valuable skill for industry.

Did you do a project, placement or study abroad? What did this involve and what did you gain?

Aside from financial markets, I've always had an interest in education economics, particularly related to the funding and student attitudes towards higher education. This was the basis for my final year economics dissertation, titled "How Sensitive Is Undergraduate Subject Choice To Relative Returns And Tuition Fees". The project allowed me a great degree of independence, meaning I could take the project where I wanted and spend time researching the topics I found interesting. I was also lucky enough to be supervised by Prof Ian Walker who is an expert in this area, having written many research papers I was able to cite myself. Ian advised me on how to access some of the biggest datasets on the UK population and pushed me to use some of my degree-level statistical analysis to reach unique and meaningful conclusions.

Describe your time at LUMS in three words.

Forward-thinking, relevant and engaging.

What are your best memories of your time at Lancaster?

I will always be proud of the Economics Society, which I established and ran for two years. The charity ball we organised in my final year was a fun night for everyone... As well as all the memories made on the lacrosse pitch and in Sugarhouse!

What are the best things about living in the Lancaster area?

Nothing is ever too far away and the transport links are great. So if you wanted to venture out to the Lake District or find a nice spot for tennis, this is no problem at all!

Which parts of your Lancaster experience were the best preparation for your job?

Engaging with the careers teams early and being a pro-active member of LUMS societies prepared me well for a career in investment banking. I knew I wanted to work with financial markets before joining Lancaster and I was lucky enough to be put in contact with Paul McCormick in the summer running up to my first year. During this time we were able to get my CV in good shape, which maximised the time I had to apply for spring week opportunities (a very valuable 1st year internship for those wanting to work in finance!)

What impact has your Lancaster experience had on your career?

Lancaster University's collegiate system and woodland campus means that making friends and getting to know people is much easier. Moving forward, this means I've got contacts that are also moving to London to work in finance, but also moving to places around the world to do a vast variety of exciting careers. From a career and networking perspective, it's great to be part of such a global network.