Asad Ali

I was born and raised in Pakistan, and my journey to the UK began with a dream of expanding my horizons and gaining an international education.

I moved to the UK in May 2022, excited about the opportunities that awaited me here. The UK is a land of endless possibilities, and I knew it was the perfect place to shape my future.

I graduated with a MSc Project management from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), London campus, in 2023. The degree was a stepping stone toward my career, and I was eager to see how it would help me thrive in a competitive global market.

Studying at the UWS London campus was an enriching experience. The university offered a dynamic, multicultural environment that helped me broaden my academic and personal perspective. I found the faculty to be supportive, and the resources available were invaluable in my academic journey.

UWS gave us so much to remember as we had so many great moments at UWS that were both inspiring and fun. But there was this one time I had a real ‘oops’ moment: I accidentally wandered into the wrong lecture hall, sat down, and happily stayed there for a good 10 minutes before realizing.. oops, this isn’t my class. So, I did what any confused student would do I made a dramatic exit and dashed to Dr. Mehtab’s lecture. But just my luck Dr. Mehtab was standing at the door like a wise guardian of the gates, who somehow manages to be both the kindest and scariest person at the same time. I had to give my best ‘Sorry I’m late, and explained in front of the class all the questions asked by Dr.

Finding a job in the UK after graduation was a journey in itself. It wasn’t always easy, but the process taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance and adaptability. I learned that patience is key, and every rejection brought me one step closer to the right opportunity. The key takeaway was the importance of networking and continuously refining my CV to highlight my unique skills.

After several months of applications and interviews, I secured a position at NG Bailey as a building services engineer in Canary Wharf. What set me apart was my ability to showcase how my skills, academic background from UWS, and personal passion all aligned perfectly with the role. Although it was a part-time position, I was thrilled as it was relevant to my field. I worked there for a few months, but I didn’t stop. I kept applying for other opportunities and continuously updated my CV with the experience I was gaining on site.

I was fortunate to land a job immediately after finishing my degree. I began in a temporary position with the potential to become permanent and successfully secured a permanent role after completing my probation period.

My degree from UWS London played a critical role in achieving my career goals. The curriculum was designed to not only impart technical knowledge but also develop soft skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving. This holistic approach gave me an edge in the competitive job market and made me feel prepared to tackle the challenges in my field.

Today, I work as a Mechanical Engineer at BGIS. Since joining, I have been fortunate enough to be the part of great team. My managers and colleagues are very supportive, working in a kind and healthy environment. Luckily I will soon get progression and move into a senior role. Every day, I’m excited to contribute and take on new challenges that help me grow professionally.

Looking ahead, my goal is to advance to a senior project manager role. Before transitioning into project management, I wanted to gain foundational experience, which is essential for effectively handling projects in a specific field. I am also excited about the opportunity to continue growing in my career, developing new skills, and making an even greater impact in my company.