How an International student from Ghana gained employment as a Finance Analyst at the NHS June 2023
I came to the UK from Ghana with an undergraduate degree in accounting and joined the MSc Finance and Accounting programme on my dad’s advice, and I am due to graduate in September this year. I found the transition to living in the UK a smooth experience. I lived in Birmingham throughout my studies and found this affordable. I did not struggle with anything. My experience in Wolves has been amazing and my lecturers have been amazing. The times of the classes were convenient for me. It is better to have four-hour blocks rather than two plus two when catching the train in.
I signed up with Indeed and worked 20 hours a week to support myself while I studied. I started with caring, and restaurant shifts due to their flexibility as I could fit these in around my studies. When I finished my studies last September, I looked for more relevant work and gained a temporary customer service position at Nat West Bank from November to March. This gave me valuable related experience and taught me how to be a team player. This was really helpful when completing my personal statement for the Finance Analyst position at the NHS that I applied for in January. I started my new role at Kettering Hospital in Northamptonshire in April. I am now experiencing the practical aspects of what I was taught at university. The NHS will sponsor me to work in the UK and will also sponsor me to follow the professional pathway of either ACCA or CIMA.
If you are wondering about taking the big jump to the University of Wolverhampton from another country my advice would be: Just do it! This will open up many opportunities for you.
Interview of Vanessa Nketiah by Lorraine Morris
Head of Department
Finance, Accounting and Economics