Muhammed wearing a gown and hat at graduation.
Muhammed wearing a gown and hat at graduation.

Alumni Spotlight: Muhammed

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Should you stay where you’re comfortable, or take a chance with a life-altering decision? That’s the choice Claude Littner Business School alumni Muhammed had to make. From Malappuram, Kerala, in India, Muhammed’s journey brought him first to UWL and then all around the world, leaving his secure job, family and culture behind. Here, we share his story.

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After finishing his schooling, Muhammed completed a diploma in computer engineering, which led to a job in a software company in India along with a Bachelors degree, where he worked for another five years. All the while, he was contemplating pursuing a Masters degree.

UWL alumnus Muhammed standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.

It was a transition step for me. I was in a multinational company, with a secured job. I felt much more relaxed at home, especially with Covid working from home. But I felt this isn’t the time to be relaxed, which encouraged me to take the chance and do my Masters in the UK.”  

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It was a tough decision, but he was encouraged and supported by his colleagues and parents while he was taking the IELTS exam. 

I was looking at UWL’s modules. They were interesting to me because they were modernised business modules. I preferred the UK since I wanted a university Masters degree from the UK. Especially, I fancied London.”

Muhammed arrived in the UK in 2021, right after the Covid pandemic. Without many friends in the UK or a job, there was no one to guide him. Figuring it out for himself, Muhammed balanced several jobs while getting settled. From working in a kitchen to working as a waiter, he has acted as a supervisor at massive public events, worked in retail jobs, as a receptionist, spent a while doing take-out deliveries and was a university student ambassador. 

There are things I miss about home - food and family - but there's always pros and cons. At some point, we have to decide what it is that we want in life. I believed this all is a process for getting where you want to get in life.”

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One of the joys of moving to the UK was that Muhammed was finally able to travel to Europe, visiting eight European countries during his studies: France, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal and Spain. But despite all this work, and all this travelling, Muhammed still left UWL with a distinction in his Masters in Business.

It was a lot of hard work, but I never bothered. I knew this was part of the process I needed to go through to reach my destination."

Straight out of university, Muhammed spent a while travelling, sharing his experiences on Instagram in the hope that he might inspire others to study abroad and broaden their horizons.

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A group of business professionals smiling and having a meeting in an open plan office.

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I would say Europe has a blend of many cultures. I made friends while I travelled to different countries which helped me to have a broader mindset and I shared my experiences with people because I like to inspire and motivate people to change their mindset.

There are a lot of students who want to study abroad, holding themselves to make it happen but the obstacles can seem never-ending. I always receive messages from these people, and I have been trying to help them all.”

As well as travelling, Muhammed was busy looking for work, finding his current role working for a software company in Reading, which took a lot of perseverance and dedication.

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Computer Science students at a desktop PC

I enjoy working for my current company because after all I am getting support on my way up. I’m learning everything I can! I'm trying to learn every aspect of my role.”

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Now, Muhammed is hoping to progress in the future towards leadership positions or work in a team of decision-makers to have an impact on the company and people. As he pursues this goal, he has this advice to offer:  

Tune your conversations and circles to suit your dreams. Keep learning from every experience no matter what kind of work or role. sometimes it may fall apart but keep pushing through it. There is always something to pick up from everywhere you go or whoever you meet. Manifest your reality, keep your eye on the goal and travel!”  

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