Shaleen Shah: BSc Finance and Data Analytics

Originally from Dubai, Shaleen combined her passion for finance and technology with hands-on industry experience through a data analytics internship in the UAE. Now, she is preparing to start a graduate role as a Data Auditor with Forvis Mazars in London.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Liverpool Management School?

The primary reason I chose to study here was my course. It was a niche field I could not find elsewhere.

Beyond that, out of all the cities I considered, Liverpool felt like the right balance: lively enough to keep things interesting, without being so overwhelming that you lose yourself in it. I am glad to say my instinct was right!

Why did you want to study BSc Finance and Data Analytics?

I have always been drawn to numbers, but I knew a traditional degree like accounting wasn’t quite for me. Similarly, I loved coding, but sitting for 8+ hours in front of a screen, trying to find a single bug in my code, seemed daunting.

When I came across BSc Finance and Data Analytics, it seemed too good to be true. It felt like the perfect mix of my interests and a degree I could not find elsewhere.

Where did you go for your summer internship? What was that like?

Last summer, I interned at TechnoHeaven Consultancy in Dubai, UAE, as a Data Analyst Intern. It allowed me to get a real sense of what the day-to-day of a data analyst actually looks like.

While a large part of it did consist of utilising SQL and creating Power BI dashboards, something I truly enjoyed, there were also aspects of internal collaboration and constant communication.

I had not fully anticipated this, but it was a pleasant reminder that technical skills can only get you so far.

What skills have you developed?

The biggest soft skill I strengthened during my internship was communication. It may not sound like the most unique skill, but it is the most essential one.

If you are unable to articulate your thoughts in a clear and precise manner, you are truly missing out on showcasing your potential. A technical skill I enjoyed picking up was Power BI.

As part of my programme, I spent a semester learning Tableau and obtained a certificate to show this, thanks to the opportunity provided by my module leader.

Tableau is a software comparable to Power BI, but not entirely the same. Because my internship required Power BI, I was able to use my prior knowledge and translate those skills into the job's requirements, making the learning curve much simpler than it would have been.

What support and extra opportunities have you accessed to help you with your studies?

I have made consistent use of what's available. The Management School intranet became a go-to for sourcing academic material, which was particularly useful when I started my dissertation.

Handshake was helpful for job searching, and looking back, the mock assessment centre in the first year was good preparation for what real applications actually feel like.

The 24/7 library facilities during assessment season have been a lifesaver!

What have you enjoyed most about your student experience?

Beyond academics, the part I have valued most is the involvement I have had outside the classroom. I've been on the committee for several societies throughout my time here, serving as president of one and treasurer of two in my final year.

Taking on those roles taught me more about responsibility, organisation, and working with people than I expected. I'd encourage anyone to get involved early, even just as a member at first, because those experiences have been some of the most rewarding parts of my time here. 

What have you enjoyed most about living as a student in Liverpool?

Being born and raised in Dubai and never having visited the UK before, I arrived in Liverpool with no expectations. This perhaps made it easier to be surprised because Liverpool ended up being far more than I anticipated.

There’s always somewhere new to go, whether that's a café, a restaurant, a park, a market, or just wandering around a part of the city you haven't explored yet.

For an international student arriving somewhere completely unfamiliar, Liverpool is a remarkably easy city to feel at home in once you’ve made your set of friends.

What are your future career goals?

My goal has always been to find a role that sits at the intersection of finance and data, which is why I'm really pleased to have secured a graduate position that does exactly that.

In September, I'll be joining Forvis Mazars in London as a Graduate Data Auditor. I'm still a bit thrilled about it and I cannot wait to see where this next chapter goes!