What and where did you study before your Mountbatten internship?
I did B. Tech Information Technology from SSN College, Chennai, India and MSc Human Resource Management from University of Edinburgh Business School, Edinburgh, Scotland.

What made you apply for the Mountbatten Program?
Around the time I was finishing my Masters in Edinburgh, I realized that I wanted an International workplace experience that would launch me back into the workforce – as I had quit my first job of three years as Systems Engineer at Infosys. Mountbatten Program was listed on my university’s career website and I decided to give it a try, so started off my application during my last month in Edinburgh.

Describe your sponsor company and your role within it.
I got placed with UBS Investment Bank (51st street, Avenue of Americas) as Reporting Analyst with the Reporting and Analytics Services – which is part of Group Finance. I was in the team that handled client revenue reporting called RAS – Client Engagement. My stakeholders were Sales Traders, product heads, Regional heads, Global heads and HR, to whom we planned and delivered adhoc reports on their performance with their clients.

What was the highlight/most memorable moment of your working experience during this year?
The most memorable moment of my work experience was when I was offered a Full-Time opportunity with my team – Client Engagement at the new UBS Corporate centre in Pune. I was the 2nd employee with UBS Business Solutions India Ltd – who joined even before the office building construction was completed! I got to work at the vendor location (ODC), meet and network with the leaders in UBS who were responsible for setting up the Pune office. I gained a lot of exposure and experience when my team slowly grew in Pune and I got to mentor them on the processes that I was already familiar with, given my experience in NYC. A quote by UBS CIO APAC Technology Mr. Uday Odedra always stayed with me, “Not everyone gets an opportunity to be part of a Global Company’s starting stage in India.”

What was the social highlight/most memorable moment during this year?
The most amazing moment was when I reached the Top of the Rock and looked at the NYC skyline, it felt as if I was in a dream – and I felt grateful for the amazing opportunity that I got to experience. Other moments include when I got to visit NYC again (twice) through UBS for my further trainings as a full-time employee and lived in Times Square for two months and in Exchange Place overlooking Lady Liberty for a couple of months.

Please share a little wisdom/philosophy that you acquired during your internship
Believe in your dreams and when one is achieved, start dreaming again and work towards that. Living and working in NYC started off as a simple dream when I saw the Mountbatten Program on my University’s career website – and then I worked hard to make it a reality. Hard work and patience always pays off!

If you could change anything about your internship, what would it be?
Nothing, as the process in itself – everything from application, interviews, welcoming newcomers, accommodation, to experiencing working in NYC as a true professional, is extraordinary about the internship. I have always recommended the program to anyone who looks up to me for advice on their careers. The program is definitely a stepping stone to great opportunities ahead!

What happened after completing the year – what did you do next?
I joined UBS as a full-time employee in Pune, where I worked with the same team I interned with. I worked there for two and half years, learned much more about investment banking, the products, and created a strong network of colleagues and stakeholders who up to this day are my strong pillars of support.

Where you are now in your working life and what do you do?
I moved to Canada as a Permanent Resident in August 2018 and now work with UBS Canada Inc as a Risk and Automation Analyst. I have always wanted to settle in Canada and given that I got the opportunity to move and settle here is again a dream come true.

Do you have any future plans that you would like to realize & what are they (career & social)?
As of now, my plans include settling into my new life in a new country and relatively newer work environment in UBS Canada. I endeavour to create a strong base – friendships, family, and to have many more adventures with them.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I completed Kedarkantha Winter Trek (elevation – 3800 m) just 14 days before turning 30. I surprised myself on my endurance and perseverance to reach the peak and cried immensely after reaching the summit. This was partly seeing the beauty of the Himalayas and partly for recognizing my own strengths.