Launching a career through industry experience

My career began during my time at Bath itself, through a placement year at Knorr-Bremse, which was also my very first corporate role. Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful for that experience. I was surrounded by colleagues who had prior work experience, and I'll be honest, in the beginning I struggled with imposter syndrome. But my manager was patient and encouraging, and my colleagues helped me build confidence and push myself to do better. It was a formative experience in every sense.

After graduating, I joined Twinkl, an ed-tech company, as an Analyst. Over two years, I had the opportunity to work across a wide range of teams, from Customer Success and Customer Experience to Marketing, Payments, Retention, and Acquisition. The breadth of exposure was incredible, and the learning curve was steep in the best possible way.

A supportive and diverse university environment

For many international students, myself included, moving to Bath is the first time you've truly lived away from family, friends, and the comfort of home. There's an exciting nervousness to it. But from day one, I felt genuinely welcomed.

I joined in September 2021 and moved into my accommodation. I remember struggling with my suitcases, and a group of undergraduate students who were on their way out stopped and helped me carry everything up, completely unprompted. Five years later, I still think about that moment. It says so much about the kind of community Bath fosters.

Academically, the support was equally strong. I remember going to my statistics professor for help with a concept I'd technically covered in my undergrad but had long forgotten, and receiving nothing but patience and encouragement. The Career Services team was also invaluable. I attended multiple career fairs and gave several interviews through them. Knorr-Bremse was one of the companies I met there. For the final round, they actually came to campus to interview us, which made a real difference. The familiarity of the environment helped me perform at my best.

Building independence and future readiness

For international students, a university choice is genuinely an investment, and Bath delivers on multiple fronts. It consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the UK, particularly for STEM subjects, and the city itself is extraordinary. There's a reason Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City.

But beyond the rankings and the beauty, what Bath gave me was independence. You learn to cook, manage a budget, do your own laundry, all while keeping up with your studies. It's something that simply isn't as common an experience back home, and it builds a kind of resilience and self-reliance that stays with you long after graduation.

My advice to students considering Bath: say yes to things. Talk to as many people as you can. Attend events. Take on a part-time job. Try something you'd never get the chance to do at home. Use the career centre, go to the fairs, and don't be afraid to ask for help, from your professors, your peers, or the university's support teams. The opportunities are there; you just have to reach for them.

And to parents: a Bath education doesn't just produce graduates with strong academic credentials. It produces young adults who know how to navigate the world independently, collaborate across cultures, and adapt to new environments. That's a return on investment that lasts a lifetime.