I chose to study Accounting and Finance because I’ve always been an analytical person and maths was one of my favourite subjects. I also have an interest in finance as my parents work in the financial services sector. I knew I wanted an undergraduate degree that incorporated these two things.

I chose to study at Bath for several reasons. Bath was ranked Top 3 for Accounting and Finance during my intake year. The School of Management’s connections to placement opportunities and the option to spend a semester abroad also greatly appealed to me.

A few of my friends had been studying at Bath and their positive feedback about the University and the city helped sway my decision.

The prospects for Bath graduates, particularly those from Accounting and Finance, were among the best in the country. This was also a key deciding factor for choosing Bath and the School of Management.

I did my placement with Zurich Insurance as a finance intern. The placement was split into two six-month rotations. One rotation was in the Financial Accounting Reporting (FAR) team. The second was in the expenses team within Planning and Performance Management.

In the FAR team, I helped with the month-end closing procedures and helped prepare the financial statements for one of Zurich’s subsidiaries. This included posting monthly journals and reconciliation statements.

Part of my role within the expenses team included the management of contracts with suppliers. I made sure expenses were in line with contracts and paid within the contract terms. I created expense reports to senior managers in the finance department make budgeting decisions.

The placement was a stepping stone to my career. It allowed me to decide whether a career in accounting and finance was for me, which I can now say confidently was the right decision. I was also lucky to secure a graduate job with Zurich Insurance after the end of my placement.

The placement team was incredibly helpful during my search and was the main reason I was able to secure my placement. Whether that involved helping me with my CV, cover letter or interview preparation, the team was always on hand and I’m incredibly grateful for that.

I was privileged to spend a full semester at Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada.

The experience was life-changing. Meeting other exchange students from all parts of the world, and experiencing the Canadian lifestyle and teaching at one of North America’s top institutions was the highlight of my whole undergraduate experience.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity helped me to build long-lasting connections far and wide. It also helped me appreciate the importance of diversity of different cultures.