Why did you choose to study at LUMS?

Having already spent three years in Lancaster pursuing a bachelor's degree, I fell in love with the area and knew I wanted to pursue my postgrad degree there. What drew me to LUMS was my desire to expand the scope of my education and build new skills to complement those I had already acquired as a scientific undergraduate. Beyond the international rankings and recognition, many first-hand testimonies from close friends at Lancaster highlighted it as a place where I could pursue my interests and goals and be facilitated to do so.

What was the best thing about your course?

The freedom and flexibility. Each assignment and module had a degree of flexibility with which to examine the given topic. This freedom allowed me to explore niche areas that allowed me to explore the intersection of disciplines. For me specifically this was the interface between science and business. The biggest example of this was the dissertation which had several styles to choose from including a business proof of concept as an alternative to the traditional academic dissertation. Also, no exams was an absolutely stellar bonus.

Who inspired you most at LUMS and why?

Tough question. If I'm completely honest I found a lot of people inspiring, particularly those with a different perspective. However, if I had to choose one, it would be Professor Magnus George, he helped mentor and guide me towards various opportunities. Specifically, he pointed me in the direction of my current role.

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

Although I didn't do a placement or study abroad the project that stands out the most to me was my dissertation. It was exciting for me to explore something I was passionate about and lay the groundwork for a real product. I learned a huge amount about the implementation of scientific ideas through entrepreneurship. In particular, bridging the gap between disciplines and the wider context and links surrounding them.

Describe your time at LUMS in three words.

Expansive, stimulating, relaxed

What are your best memories of your time at Lancaster?

No doubt it's the people. I had some great memories with the friends I made. Ranging from a cheeky pool game in between lectures to a "few" beers on Wednesday or Friday. A personal highlight with a friend from LUMS was climbing Helvellyn via striding edge in some questionable weather. Felt like something out of Lord of the Rings.

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

The lake district has got to be the go-to. It's very close and has some quality spots, a personal favourite being black moss pot. In Lancaster itself, there are various events such as live music throughout the year. There are plenty of great places to eat and drink and if you want to go somewhere a bit bigger Manchester is near by.

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

The academic side of things was a huge help in developing my technical skills however a large part of my job focuses on people. Lancaster facilitated the development of my soft skills by giving me the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams with diverse backgrounds. Lancaster also provided me with the chance to explore the fringes and intersections of different disciplines which has helped me consider the bigger picture.

What impact has your Lancaster experience had on your career?

As with most people I had absolutely no idea what career I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to do something between engineering and business and my Lancaster experience helped narrow it down to what I'm doing now. If I'm honest I'm still not sure what I want to do going forward however that same process that I learned at Lancaster has given me the tools to navigate those transitions moving forward.

Is there anything else about your LUMS experience that you'd like to share with us?

Just because you don't have a management or business background doesn't mean you can't pursue it now. It can contextualise what you did before.