Srilekha Gaddai

I chose MSc Project Management because I wanted to build a career that combines leadership, organisation, problem-solving and strategic thinking. Project management is a field that applies to almost every industry, which made it both exciting and versatile for me. What attracted me most to the programme at UWS London was the balance between academic knowledge and practical learning. The modules were designed to reflect realworld business challenges, helping students develop both technical and interpersonal skills that are highly valued in today’s job market. I felt this programme would not only strengthen my professional profile but also prepare me to work confidently in an international environment.

Before starting at UWS London, my biggest expectation was to meet new people from different backgrounds, learn from their experiences and grow both personally and professionally. Studying in such an international city gave me the opportunity to connect with people from diverse cultures and perspectives, which made the learning experience even more valuable. I also wanted to make the best use of my time by gaining knowledge, building confidence and creating meaningful memories that would help shape my future career and personal journey.

My overall experience at UWS London played a huge role in preparing me for my current position. Throughout my studies, I developed important skills such as organisation, leadership, planning, communication and teamwork, all of which I now use daily in my role as a Student Ambassador. The programme also helped me become more confident in managing responsibilities and working in professional environments. One of the most valuable parts of studying at UWS was the exposure to people from different cultures and backgrounds. Interacting with such a diverse community improved my interpersonal skills and adaptability, which has helped me connect with students and colleagues more effectively in my current job.

Yes, two modules that had a particularly lasting impact on me were Project Management Fundamentals and Project in Practice. These modules gave me a strong understanding of the core principles of project management and how they are applied in real-world situations. I especially enjoyed the practical approach to learning, as it helped me improve my problem-solving, teamwork, planning and decision-making skills. The knowledge and confidence I gained from these modules continue to support me in my professional role today.

The learning environment at UWS London was extremely supportive and played an important role in my personal and professional growth. The lecturers on my course were approachable, encouraging and always willing to help whenever students needed guidance. Their support made the learning experience more comfortable and motivating. One moment that truly stood out to me was when my programme leader became the first person to provide me with a job reference. That level of encouragement and belief in students gave me a lot of confidence and motivated me to pursue opportunities with greater determination.

As an international student, navigating the UK job market was a completely new experience for me and required a lot of adaptation. I understood early on that I needed guidance, so I reached out to the UWS Careers Department within my first week at university. Huyen, from the careers team, was incredibly supportive and helped me identify the right job platforms, improve my CV and better understand the expectations of the UK job market. The process can definitely feel overwhelming at times because the market is highly competitive. However, I learned that continuous learning, building connections and staying open to new opportunities are very important. Networking with people, improving skills and consistently putting yourself out there can make a big difference in building confidence and finding the right opportunities.

One of the biggest challenges I faced during my job search was the uncertainty around visa sponsorship and work eligibility, which is something many international students experience in the UK. Another difficult part was dealing with long application processes and not always receiving responses from employers after applying. At times, this could feel discouraging and stressful. However, I learned the importance of staying patient, continuing to improve my skills and not letting rejections affect my confidence. Over time, these experiences helped me become more resilient and motivated in my career journey.

I started applying for roles from my very first semester at UWS London. Initially, I focused on finding part-time opportunities where I could apply and develop my project management skills in a practical environment. Starting early helped me better understand the UK job market, improve my applications and gain valuable professional experience alongside my studies.

The strategies that worked best for me were networking, tailoring my CV for each role and being open to starting somewhere rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity. I realised that building connections and speaking with people helped me learn more about opportunities and the industry. I also made sure to customise my CV and applications based on the specific requirements of each job instead of sending the same version everywhere. Most importantly, I learned that taking the first step and gaining experience, even in smaller roles, can open doors to bigger opportunities in the future.

One of the biggest factors that helped me secure my role was performing well in my previous job and consistently giving my best effort. My work gave me valuable exposure to the education industry and student engagement, which helped me build relevant experience and develop confidence in my abilities. The recognition I received through my work motivated me further and helped me better understand professional expectations and responsibilities. Over time, this experience prepared me to take on new opportunities with greater confidence and clarity.

I started using the UWS Careers Service from my very first month at university. The support I received was extremely helpful throughout my job search journey. Huyen, in particular, guided me towards useful job platforms and provided valuable feedback on my CV, helping me improve my applications and better understand employer expectations in the UK job market. Having access to that support early on gave me more confidence and helped me approach opportunities in a more professional and organised way.

I made sure to tailor my CV and applications for every role I applied to by carefully matching the keywords and skills mentioned in the job description. I also took time to understand how ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) work so that my applications would be more effective and aligned with employer requirements. In addition, I focused on highlighting the most relevant experience, skills and achievements related to each role. This approach helped my applications stand out and improved my chances of getting interview opportunities.

There were definitely moments of self-doubt throughout my journey. Being away from family and living in a different country can sometimes feel very lonely, especially when there are limited people around to share your fears and struggles with. There were days when I felt lost and questioned myself, along with many sleepless nights filled with stress and uncertainty about the future. However, those challenges also made me stronger and more independent. Over time, I learned how important resilience, self-belief and patience are when pursuing your goals in a new environment.

What kept me motivated throughout my journey was my family and the responsibility I felt towards making them proud. I am the first girl in my family to move abroad and study in the UK, so I always wanted to prove to myself that I could succeed and make the most of this opportunity. My parents worked very hard to provide me with a comfortable life and the dream of one day giving them the same comfort and happiness has always been my biggest motivation. At the same time, I was fortunate to have supportive colleagues and seniors who believed in me, encouraged me during difficult moments and constantly reminded me of my potential. Their support and faith in me helped me stay positive and continue moving forward even during challenging times.

The mindset that helped me push forward was always trying to learn something good from every person I met and every experience I went through. I believe that everyone teaches us something valuable, whether it is through their skills, attitude, or life experiences and I always tried to take those positive lessons with me. Most importantly, I constantly reminded myself that I had come too far to stop. I knew I had to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult things became. That determination, combined with a willingness to learn and grow, helped me stay focused on my goals and continue pushing myself towards a better future.

My current role mainly involves engaging with students and being there to support them throughout their university journey. I help plan activities and events that encourage student involvement and create a positive campus experience. A big part of my role is making sure students feel welcomed, supported and are making the most of their time at university. Through this position, I also get to interact with students from different backgrounds, build connections and contribute towards creating an enjoyable and inclusive student community.

One of the moments I am most proud of in my journey is graduating with distinction and being one of only nine students in my programme to achieve that result. For me, it represents not only academic success but also the hard work, sacrifices and determination behind the journey. Moving to a new country, adapting to a different environment, balancing challenges and still achieving this milestone gave me a strong sense of accomplishment and confidence in my abilities.

My future goals are to continue growing in my current role, gain more professional experience, and positively support students by guiding them in the right direction during their university journey. I enjoy working with students and contributing towards creating a better experience for them, so I hope to continue building my skills in this area. In the long term, I also aspire to build something of my own one day, where I can use my experiences, leadership skills and passion to create meaningful impact and opportunities for others.

One important piece of advice I would give to current and prospective students is to actively interact with your lecturers and make the most of their guidance and experience. They are there to support students not only academically but also professionally and there is so much to learn from their knowledge and real-world insights. I would also encourage students to stay focused on their goals and not get distracted along the way. Whenever things become difficult, always remember why you started this journey and how far you have already come. Staying consistent, motivated and open to learning can make a huge difference in both your academic and personal growth.