Global Careers Calls

Join Saima Hasan as she shares her remarkable alumni journey with the University of London, balancing a full-time job, family life, and extensive travel while earning a master's degree. In this conversation, Saima reveals how the flexible online program was a game-changer for her as a busy professional. She also shares her insights into her current role, as the head of marketing at a global law firm in Dubai. On this episode, you will also discover the value of flexible learning, the power of a global professional network, and the impact of AI and sustainability trends in the MENA region.Key points:[02:47] - Saima Hasan's Professional Journey[06:07] - Building a Global Professional Network[13:49] - Navigating AI and Technological Advancements[18:35] - Sustainability and CSR in the MENA Region[22:55] - The Importance of Lifelong Learning

In this episode, Liz interviews , Ruaani and Salma, who share their experiences and thoughts as they navigate the beginning of their career journeys. Ruaani, a recent graduate in Economics and Management from Colombo, explores potential roles in the hospitality sector, driven by the inspiration from the long career of the father in the field. She also discusses how she gained valuable skills through carrying out job simulations on the Forage platform. Salma, a student based in Egypt studying for the Economics and Management degree from the University of London, shares her aspirations of making a meaningful impact on her community in her future career trajectory. She recounts her experience with a marketing internship focused on video content creation and her experience completing the employability skills experience. Both our guests reflect on the challenges, uncertainties, and learning opportunities that come with being at the start of their careers and offer valuable advice to fellow career starters.Key points:[02:25] -  Career Aspirations and Influences[04:04] - Challenges of Starting a Career[07:18] - Developing Skills and Gaining Experience[10:35] - Insights from Internships and Workshops[17:13] - Final Advice for Career StartersPlatform mentioned: The Forage

In this episode, we speak with Akbota and and Ainura, two inspiring career changers currently studying psychology at the University of London. Originally from Kazakhstan, both have navigated significant professional shifts—Ava from finance and Ainura from multiple careers including banking, sales and fashion. They share their journeys, challenges, and the skills they consider essential for success in psychology. The discussion emphasizes the importance of empathy, critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and resilience. Akbota and Ainura offer invaluable advice for those contemplating a similar pivot, stressing the importance of leveraging past experiences, and trusting one's intuition. Their stories provide a compelling look at the transformative power of following one's passion.Key points:[01:43] - Meet Akbota: A Career Changer's Journey[02:12] - Akbota's Career Aspirations in Psychology[02:56] - Meet Ainura: From Finance to Psychology[03:32] - Ainura's Career Transition and Challenges[03:45] - Akbota's Career Journey and Actions Taken[08:15] - Challenges in Career Change[13:42] - Skills Needed for a Career in Psychology[20:50] -The Importance of Transdisciplinary Work[23:54]- Final Advice for Career Changers

In this episode, we speak with Achilleas, a life scientist and current MSc Data Science student specializing in artificial intelligence, calling from Athens, Greece. Achilleas shares his career journey from completing his undergrad, postgrad, and PhD in the UK to working in large corporations like IQVIA and Pfizer. He discusses his ambitions to specialize and generate his own AI tools tailored for the pharmaceutical industry and highlights the importance of continuous learning. Achilleas also touches on the skills needed in data science, such as emotional intelligence and problem-solving, and the challenges and opportunities posed by rapid developments in AIKey points:[02:22] Career Journey and Current Role[03:24] Future Ambitions and AI Specialization[04:23] Impact of MSE Data Science Program[05:07] Challenges in Career Development[05:57] Advice for Aspiring Data Scientists[06:35] Essential Skills for Data Science[08:07] Transdisciplinary Approach in Data Science[09:29] Future of Data Science and AI[12:09] Using AI in Day-to-Day Work[13:15] Personal Qualities for Career Development[15:16] Final Advice for Students

In this Global Careers Call, Sophie Odgers-Roe and Rae Roberts, Career Consultants at the University of London, discuss how understanding and leveraging personal strengths can impact career development across various stages of somebody’s career. They explore how strengths awareness can benefit career starters, developers, and changers, offering practical advice and also some activities for each group which you will find in the description. The conversation also highlights the importance of reflecting on personal and external feedback, the role of diverse strengths in building cohesive teams, and lessons they learned from strengths-based career coaching.Below you will find the activities that Sophie and Rae, Careers Consultants at UoL, have designed to help you discover your strength:Surfacing your StrengthsUncovering your Strengths and choosing the job that best suit your natural Strengths To download the pdf of the activities follow these steps:Click on Ctrl+P in Linux and Windows or Command+P on Mac to print the webpage and then select 'Destination' → 'Save as PDF' and your reflection will be downloaded and saved in a pdf file.Cappfinity, a company specialised in Strengths development, also has a quiz designed to help uncovering strength. Find it below:Free Strengths Test | Strengths ProfileKey points:[01:51] - Understanding Strengths in Career Development[03:45] - Advice for Career Starters[16:24] - Insights for Career Developers[25:16] - Guidance for Career Changers

In this episode, Sophie speaks to two alumni from the University of London, Adi Walker and Zainab Khan, who share their experiences using AI tools to augment their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses at work. Adi, an alumni ambassador and director of a multi-donor trust fund in Bangladesh, explains how he uses various AI tools like ChatGPT for tasks ranging from making presentations to dealing with HR issues. Zainab, a recent graduate and student consultant in Pakistan, discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly help her efficiently provide up-to-date information to students and improve her work productivity. Both our guests emphasize the importance of accurate prompts to get the best results from AI and discuss the balance between leveraging AI and maintaining a human touch in their professional lives.Key parts:[01:48] - Meet the Alumni: Ad Walker and Zab Khan[03:57] - Using AI to Augment Strengths[05:58] - Ad Walker's Experience with AI[12:56] - Zab Khan's Experience with AI[16:40] - Challenges and Limitations of AI[19:56] - The Future of AI in Professional Settings

Listen to Ruvimbo Chiswo's inspiring story of transitioning from clinical medicine to public health by leveraging her key strengths.Key notes:[01:40] - Understanding Career Strengths[01:53] - Realized and Unrealized Strengths[02:31] - Learned Behaviours and Weaknesses[03:34] - Introduction to MBO[04:05] - MBO's Career Journey[05:50] - Strategic and Systems Thinking[08:29] - Learned Behaviours in Career Transition[12:44] - Managing a Team: Strengths and Skills[14:46] - Diversity in Strengths[18:14] - Unrealized Strengths and Relationship Building[21:41] - Advice for Career Transition[23:58] - Evaluating Risk and Self-Awareness[24:56] - Curiosity and Career Growth

In this episode of Global Careers Calls, host Rosie Baber talks with Mayuko Iwasawa, a technical specialist in the Department of Applied Chemistry at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Mayuko shares her career journey, inspired by hands-on experiences and inspiring mentors, and discusses the essential skills needed for success in academia. The conversation covers challenges in higher education, the impact of AI, and the future of globalized education. Mayuko also provides valuable advice for aspiring academics and highlights the importance of resilience and determination.Key points:[02:47] - Inspiration and Career Path[06:22] - Advice for Aspiring Academics[11:26] - Qualifications and Requirements in Japan[14:24] - Future of Academia and AI[21:30] - Challenges and Rewards in Academia[28:17] - Final Thoughts