Celebrating Leeds alumni

Aimen Mahmood (English Literature 2019)

Where do you live now? 
West Yorkshire

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I've always been assertive in my personal life but it's been challenging to translate that assertiveness to my professional life. As I progress in my career, I'm becoming more confident and comfortable with presenting my opinions, especially related to equality, diversity, and inclusion. I now have meaningful conversations about my experience as a student from underrepresented backgrounds, suggest things that can improve - and affect real change for current and future individuals from similar backgrounds.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
While studying my degree, seminars often involved intellectual debates, which initially threw me off and I naturally shied away from these spaces. But I've never been okay with remaining stagnant, so I quickly began to push myself out of my comfort zone so that I could engage in these conversations. I learned how to debate respectfully here. As a student from an underrepresented background, my next issue was how to communicate in professional settings! Through the Leeds Internship Programme, the University of Leeds gave me safe, familiar, and comfortable spaces to test my business communication skills out and learn what worked for me. I made the most out of these internships and developed more as an individual in that one year than I could have ever imagined. Combined with the whole university experience, it made me the person (and professional) that I am today.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Keep moving. Even when you feel there's no way you can go further, keep going. The only way you'll succeed is by constantly encouraging yourself to do better and be better. Consider what success means to you. Are you successful when you're earning a certain salary? Are you successful when you can come home and be proud of the work you did today? Are you successful when you're fulfilled in your personal life? There's no right or wrong answer. It's just what it means to you. And once you've figured out the meaning of success, find ways to work towards it. Remember: it's equally as important to rest as it is to work. You can only perform to your potential in all aspects of life if you give your brain, body, and soul the chance to recover.

LinkedIn: /aimenmahmood

Faiza Tayyab (PhD Sociology and Social Policy 2021)

Where do you live now? 
Lahore

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
My PhD. It gave me the confidence to handle a project independently and gave me the skills that I am transferring to the students and colleagues.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
For me, studying at Leeds was a life changing decision. I am able to translate the skills into different contexts that open up new career opportunities.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Leeds University is a brilliant place to study and make new friends. You will get all the support you needed. The only advice I have is not to hesitate in approaching and asking for help whenever it is needed.

Twitter: @fwaseem
LinkedIn: /faizatayyab-phd

Hafeez Ul Rahman Memon (PhD Fuel and Energy Engineering 1996)

Where do you live now? 
Edmonton

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I am proud of my earning PhD degree in Fuel and Energy. My personal transformation remains one of my greatest achievements too because of the good and empathetic people who did help me much to overcome my academic and financial problems, and I would like to credit my family and other people around me in Leeds for that. I am grateful to my parents that despite their limited resources, they always prioritized the education of their children. Consequently, I found enough courage to pursue my dreams.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
With a PhD from Leeds, I was equipped with not only theoretical knowledge but practical skills to apply at my workplace. Studying at Leeds has helped me to build my experiences and broadened my communication, team work, critical thinking and problem solving skills. In addition, my talents have added value to my organization.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
You are going to become a true scientific/academic researcher, and I wish the best for you as you move forward in your career.

Hira Ali (Economics and Management 2012)

Where do you live now? 
Melbourne

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I am proud of reviving my career after having two kids. I work at a top consulting firm and solve problems for a wide range of clients. I am proud to juggle my career with my kids and hope to be an inspiration to girls from Pakistan to believe in themselves and to dream big.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
I was only 18 when I came to Leeds for my undergraduate and it made me the person I am today. I became independent as I rented my first house, and got my first job in London. I also found my husband at Leeds, hence it has a very special place in my heart. I also use the interpersonal skills I developed there everyday.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Work hard and dream big. Education is the only weapon we can use to change the world for a better place. Stay intellectually curious.

Instagram: @hirajamal65

Muhammad Kashif Shehzad (PhD Civil Engineering 2019)

Where do you live now? 
Leeds

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
At the end of my PhD I put in a successful research grant application worth almost £2 million funded by the EPSRC, UK. I consider this to be an achievement I will always remain proud of as it has enabled and encouraged me to make a valuable contribution to the research community and the construction industry. On completion of my current research, I intend to utilise my capabilities in the field of Structural Engineering to contribute towards the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
Leeds is not only an educational institute only, it is rather an institution with a focus on the development of its students’ educational as well as professional needs. Getting the opportunity to study a PhD at Leeds, and continuing my research has transformed me from an industry professional to an aspiring academic capable of playing a positive and significant role in betterment of the society and in developing younger generation as competent industry professionals. I value this as a success in my career which would obviously not have been possible without Leeds.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
I would strongly advise the students and graduates to recognise their potential and benefit from the opportunities offered at a great institution like Leeds to develop themselves as competent and capable professionals.

Twitter: @kashif352

Rabia Noor (MA Health Management, Planning and Policy 2018)

Where do you live now? 
Abbottabad

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I'm proud of establishing an organisation in Pakistan after leaving Leeds. I'm doing awareness sessions for vulnerable, less educated and less privileged women in our community. Mostly we discuss breast cancer, maternal and child health, malnourishment and other diseases. I'm also working to raise awareness about women rights.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
Studying in Leeds definitely moulded me into a hard working and successful woman. It changed my life as I became more aware of the right issues and showed me the techniques of tackling health and social issues in third world countries. Opened up new horizons for me.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
University of Leeds is an epitome of knowledge! Anyone who wants to pursue their studies should get educated from here. It's the best place to get enlightenment from great mentors.

Twitter: @raboazhar03

Sarah Aslam (Sustainability and Environmental Management 2020)

Where do you live now? 
Islamabad

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
Since completing my undergraduate at Leeds, I have worked on a number of climate-related projects including Natural Capital Valuation, tree plantation drives and glacier cleanups in Pakistan. I was also a youth delegate for the COP26 in Glasgow last year which allowed me to not just make a local impact but a global one as well. Giving an impromptu speech at the COP26 is perhaps one of the moments I am most proud of.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
During my time at the University Leeds I was exposed to a diverse and multicultural community of students from all over the world which helped me gain additional skills in communication and develop my social skills for platforms such as the COP26. The academic and personal development skills I attained during my time at Leeds will stick with me forever and I am glad I chose Leeds for my undergraduate degree. With Pakistan being at the forefront of countries most affected by the impacts of climate change, I have implemented the skills that I have learned in Leeds to help alleviate those impacts.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
A career in climate change is selfless and it aims for the greater good. Through education, innovation and adherence to our climate commitments, we can help protect the planet. There are many ways that we can all make a difference. For me, the best thing I can do for my country is to give back to it. So with faith, discipline and selfless devotion to my country, I am to achieve a prosperous Pakistan that is sustainable for generations to come and I hope you do too.

Twitter: @sarahaslam1012
Instagram: @sarahaslam1

Suneela Sardar (PhD Chemical and Process Engineering 2021)

Where do you live now? 
Lancaster

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
Graduating from University of Leeds is my proudest moment. It is like fulfilling a lifelong dream. I worked with extremely professional and kind people in highly equipped labs. Being a Leeds alum has enhanced my career opportunities as I gained top class skills and professional attitude at UoL. Thanks!

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
Leeds is famous of providing opportunities to gain technical and professional skills. Similarly, it helped me to grow in my field and working with modern facilities. Studying at Leeds has enhanced my vision, critical thinking and problem solving skills which ultimately led me to be a high achiever.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Leeds is the best for chemical engineering. It is a complete package with professional staff, modern facilities and state of the art academic facilities.

Twitter: @SardarSuneela
Instagram: @sardarsuneela
LinkedIn: /suneela-sardar-phd-594582129/

Aitsam Hasan (MSc Engineering Technology and Business Management 2019)

Where do you live now? 
Lahore

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
After graduation I got the chance to work in the Lahore office of a German consultancy firm. I worked on various studies for World Bank and GIZ. I also worked on high profile government projects. Fast forward three years and now I have recently joined one of the leading inverter manufacturers of the world, Fronius International as a Technical Advisor. I am most proud of the fact that I am their first technical advisor for the Pakistani market.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
My course had a very diverse range of subjects which helped me to build a diverse network. The seminars which were part of the business subjects helped me a lot with my confidence.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
I would suggest everyone focus on building a valuable network. The University of Leeds attracts the best people aiming to excel in their respective fields.

Instagram: @eatisam
LinkedIn: /aitsam-hasan

Asma Amjad (English Literature 2021)

Where do you live now? 
Batley

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
Ever since I created my final year project "Say My Name", a poetry collection on religious and cultural struggle, I became very determined to create a voice of my own as a Pakistani, Muslim Poet. I have submitted poems to online and print journals and I am pleased to say my poems have been accepted by two poetry journals so far.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
Getting advice from great supervisors is the most important aspect of becoming successful in what you do.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
One of the best pieces of advice I was given whilst struggling with my poetry collection was: "Write for yourself as a poet, before you think of the audience." This piece of advice was very important to me, as I was unsure of how to write poetry for others to read, whilst creating a voice for myself. This encouraged me to focus on what I needed to write as a poet, rather than what the world needed to hear - and somewhere along the way, both started to coincide!

Twitter: @asmaamjad_

Duaa Amina Noor (MSc Environment and Development 2019)

Where do you live now? 
Islamabad

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
Since graduating from the University of Leeds, my passion for people and my goal to positively impact the communities I interact with have been at the core of my career choices. I have worked on diverse and exciting projects ranging from promoting financial inclusion for women in rural areas, to provision of renewable energy and data analytics for small scale farmers.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
Studying at Leeds helped me carve my career path. I believe in businesses as agents of change and am extremely passionate about advancing companies that sustainably utilize resources to solve societies problems.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Sustainability is not limited to us versus them. Don't be afraid to explore and take on roles in corporations. There are plenty! A lot of impact can be created here.

Fatehdin Junejo (MSc Engineering Project Management 2006)

Where do you live now? 
Karachi

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
Being at the helm of every important project undertaken by my department/employer.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
By developing my in-depth knowledge in engineering project management which helps me to add value to projects throughout their lifecycle

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Get some practical job experience of a construction project before pursuing this degree.

Haris Raja (MSc Electrical Engineering & Renewable Energy Systems 2017)

Where do you live now? 
Birmingham

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I have been very fortunate to be involved in various sectors of the construction industry since graduating from the University of Leeds, from tendering within the multi-utility industry in residential (high-rise and housing schemes), commercial and mixed-use developments to taking the lead in work winning and bidding for contracts on the M&E/Building Services side predominantly within the Rail and Power sectors. I am most proud of the diversity of projects and schemes I've worked on whilst broadening my experiences and progressing professionally.. The world's shift towards Net Zero certainly makes this a very exciting time to be a part of the engineering drive towards ensuring sustainability.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
The University’s global reputation is a testament to Leeds' research-intensive model which puts it ahead of the competition and at the forefront of academic innovation. Aspiring graduates are exposed to both practical and theoretical learning, individual and group-based assessments in addition to research/practical based main projects which challenges them to think outside the box whilst developing individual and teamwork capabilities, capabilities which have enabled me to transition smoothly as an engineering professional and further my career in the industry.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Always be willing to try different things and learn something new. If you are comfortable, you are not growing. Innovation and engineering go hand-in-hand. As long as you're open to challenging yourself, the sky really is the limit!

Instagram: @thecerebralone

Muhammad Awais Khan (MSc Management 2009)

Where do you live now? 
Islamabad

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
As soon as I completed my Masters degree from University of Leeds, I got a job at the Marks & Spencer, UK. In 2011, I came back to my home country Pakistan and secured a job at the British High Commission in Islamabad. I give all the credit to my time at the University of Leeds to equip me with the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve such great appointments.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
Studying at the University of Leeds gave me the right set of skills, knowledge and confidence to be successful in my career.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Always focus on your studies and learn as much as you can from academic faculty and university fellows. Leeds offer tremendous opportunities in addition to your area of study and it is always in your best interest to learn from those opportunities. Last but not least, enjoy your time at the University. You will cherish the friendships and memories for the rest of your life.

Twitter: @AwaisKhan85
Instagram: @Awaiskhn

Nousheen Zakaria (PhD Strategic HRM 2014)

Where do you live now? 
Karachi

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I am very proud that I have been able to create employment opportunities.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
Doing a PhD has been life-changing for me. It truly has transformed me as a person and I learned so much. My supervisors, Professor Chris Forde and Professor Andrew Robinson, were extremely kind, supportive and helpful throughout my studies. I also enjoyed the teaching opportunities I was given. I was also involved in a lot of extra curricular activities at the University and this really helped me gain a lot of perspective on different matters - and helped shape me as a person.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Doing a research degree is a challenging and life-changing experience. It is very different from a taught programme such as an MBA. But it challenges you in ways you could have not imagined, tests your patience and shapes your thinking, and helps you be an independent thinker and researcher. I chose a very different path from most of my fellow students after my PhD as I went into industry and not academia. However, working in the industry after doing a research degree has made me more confident, independent and added to my rigour. Undertaking my PhD gave me the self-belief to explore new dimensions and challenge boundaries. If you think you are ready for the challenge of this most rewarding and satisfying programme, then I would recommend you to go for it!

Twitter: @nousheenzakaria
LinkedIn: /nousheenzakaria

Salman Arif (MSc Financial Mathematics 2009)

Where do you live now? 
Toronto

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I am most proud of my 12+ years of experience and various roles. I served as a Group Product Manager at Borealis AI (Canada's largest Machine Learning Lab), where I led a team of product managers working on frontier problems in quantitative finance. I am a thought leader in AI product management and advise on structural changes required to transform firms from nascent to ML-first organizations. I also advise start-up companies as a growth leader. I've also worked as an Investment Banker and a Quant!

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
MSc provided a solid foundation in mathematics to build my career in machine learning.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Learning never stops even when you have officially finished university. The world today is moving really fast and to keep pace it’s essential to keep learning new things.

LinkedIn: /salman-arif-msc-mmai-80b12518

Sharjeel Afridi (PhD Electronic and Electrical Engineering 2018)

Where do you live now? 
Sukkur

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
The day I passed my PhD Viva with minor corrections and my supervisor Prof. Ian Hunter said, "Well done Sharjeel this is your day and you deserve this." Being appointed as an Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering Department of Sukkur IBA University and elevated to become an IEEE senior member were also proud moments in my life.

Tell us how studying at Leeds helped you to be successful in your career.
Studying at the University of Leeds was an exceptional and instrumental experience in life. It shaped my professional career and academic growth.

What words of advice would you share with other students and graduates wishing to pursue a similar career?
Every student must take the opportunity to study in Leeds, which will help them to gain international exposure and widen their academic and professional horizons.