Inderpal Bahia

Please tell us about your current role & employer  

I work for Aston University as the Strategy and Performance Manager. I’ve been in this role since November and work across the University, helping the University’s Executive Board monitor performance in line with the organisation's overarching strategy. 

What does a typical day in your current role look like?  

A typical day involves working with and analysing a lot of data, making sure our performance monitoring is up to date across the organisation. Collaboration is a big part of my work, and I regularly engage with lots of people from different departments. My Psychology degree certainly helps me interact with my colleagues – I’m skilled at communicating with others, building quick rapport and encouraging open conversations.  

There’s also a strategic side to my role. I contribute towards a variety of project meetings to ensure that the University’s work aligns with the University’s wider strategy. My Psychology degree has also been useful here, helping me develop a more creative, flexible mindset which allows me to think critically about how different projects contribute to long-term organisational goals. 

What was the journey to getting a job after graduating from Birmingham?  

After graduating with a BSc in Psychology, I also completed my MSc in Mental Health at the University of Birmingham. Following this, I started searching for jobs and saw a role advertised at Aston University. Although I was unsuccessful at the interview for this role, I applied for and obtained a similar role as a ‘Labour Market Analyst’. I worked with the careers team, analysing in-demand professional skills and suggesting ways in which our student services and courses could best prepare students for the job market.  

During my time in the above role, I was offered a secondment opportunity as an Insights Officer, working closely with the Deputy Vice Chancellor’s team and Finance teams which led to me then applying for my current position as Strategy & Performance Manager in November 2024.  

My career path hasn’t been linear, and I’ve taken the time to actively build my network and seek out new opportunities for myself. I’ve attended numerous young professional events and was involved with the Chamber of Commerce’s Future Faces group, even serving as the account manager for Aston University’s relationship with the Chamber. By developing my people skills and making diverse connections, I’ve been able to shape my career journey.  

How do you feel the learning experience on your course helped to prepare you for your career?  

My professional abilities have been shaped by the soft skills I developed during my undergraduate degree. Completing group projects, writing reports and presenting information were key parts of my studies and have helped me to develop my communication and team-building skills.  

I also feel comfortable navigating social dynamics and different behaviours in the workplace and attribute this to my Psychology studies.  

My postgraduate studies further developed my critical thinking abilities. I also spent a lot of time examining and comparing different academic sources as Mental Health is a multidisciplinary field. My role now is very interdisciplinary, and I think I’ve benefited from learning how to navigate different perceptions and approaches during my master’s degree.  

How did the University's support service (e.g. Careers Network) help to prepare you for your career?  

I had an unusual university experience as the Covid-19 pandemic started in my second year. My course and a lot of the student services moved online. My final year and master’s degree was impacted by hybrid working. I did reach out to the Careers Network, had meetings with the careers consultant and used the CV service but all this support was conducted virtually.  

What was your biggest achievement during your course (personal, professional or academic)?  

One of my biggest achievements was completing my final year dissertation during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a group project and due to lockdown restrictions, we initially had to collaborate entirely remotely – we didn’t meet in person until months after we’d started. It was especially challenging as my dissertation took the form of an experiment. We had to conduct it virtually, while navigating all our online seminars and lectures.  

Another proud moment was acting as the student orator during my master’s degree graduation ceremony. I’d been a School Representative and was selected to talk about my experiences and reflections. It was daunting standing in the front of the Great Hall and talking in front of a large audience, but it was a great experience.  

What are your top tips for students graduating today?  

My top tip is to focus on making yourself as marketable as possible. Navigating the working world is about selling yourself in the best way you can – highlighting your strengths, making new connections and showing genuine interest in the work of others.  

I also suggest that graduates be as open minded about their career journey as possible. I never imagined that I would work for a university, but I’ve forged a fulfilling career here. I made the decision that I didn’t want to pursue a clinical route and instead, considered how I might use my transferrable skills in the Higher Education sector.  

Finally, make sure you’re resilient in the face of adversity. Job rejections can be challenging but perseverance is key to finding your next step.