Thousands of DMU students graduated in July after years of hard work. We reported some of their stories in our Class of 2015 series...
Just two weeks after he finished his final exam one De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) student started his new job as a financial analyst at a nationwide joinery company.
Harish Kerai, who graduated with a first in Accounting and Finance BA (Hons), made such a great impression at Howdens Joinery Company during a paid internship between his second and third years of study that he has now returned there full-time.
“It was fantastic experience,” said Harish. “I was the first student they’d ever taken on and they were so pleased with how it all worked out that they got back in touch with DMU to place interns for the following two years, which shows how highly-regarded our students and courses are.”
His placement year at the firm’s head office in Watford went so well he continued working there through the summer, eventually staying 16 months, before returning for his final year at DMU.
“Howdens has more than 600 depots in the UK selling direct to trade and I was management accounting, helping depot managers understand costs on their profit and loss accounts and dealing with any financial queries raised.”
Harish also re-engineered the company’s fixed asset management, saving the firm time while making the process more accurate, and worked with the marketing team to help keep track of event expenditure.
“Before then I was considering going down the financial accounting route, so it was something completely different for me. I really enjoyed my time there and it completely changed my career path.”
This meant that when Harish returned for his third year of studies at DMU his choices focussed on helping him gain his professional qualification with CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) rather than the ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).
“I decided to build my general accounting knowledge, which will help me in the future. In my second year I'd picked financial modules, but I made different choices in the third year which will mean I still get exemptions. It will leave me in a great position because I will have the right experience and the right qualifications.”
Although Harish found and secured the internship himself, he said the Faculty of Business and Law’s placement unit provided invaluable support: “They were brilliant – I sent out about 60 applications and they checked every one first. I often made changes after getting their advice and even if I didn’t it was extra reassurance before I submitted it. They also helped me prepare for interviews, including one at the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group’s assessment centre in Coventry, which taught me loads and really boosted my confidence.”
He then shared the benefit of everything he learned with a second year student, becoming her placement mentor: “When I first met her she was just looking at blue chip companies, but I persuaded her to consider the bigger picture and completely changed her view. Giving her motivation, keeping her going and boosting her up also taught me valuable life skills. As she was on the same course I was also able to help her with some modules she was struggling with.”
De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) now offers students more than 120 societies as well as 40 sports clubs to choose from in order to enhance their experience whilst studying at DMU. Harish joined the Hindu Society: “Every Tuesday at 6pm we met in the Queen’s Building for prayer and discussion. We also tried to have a positive impact in the local community – for example visiting old folk at a Leicester home or helping out at a farm.”
Harish, from London, praised his lecturers for all their support and advice, especially in his third year, adding that he had really enjoyed his time in Leicester: “I chose DMU because it had a great reputation for business and law, and there seemed to be a real commitment to helping students with placements. I think that’s really important because it means you stand out from all the other candidates – and it’s worked brilliantly for me.”
Posted on Monday 13 July 2015