Diana Magallano, HR Executive at Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo , joined the University of Derby as an international student studying Management Accounting. During her studies, Diana developed her confidence and knowledge whilst also experiencing British culture.
The start of Diana’s student journey
Interested in financial systems, Diana decided to pursue a degree in Management Accounting, initially finding it challenging to adjust to living away from her home whilst juggling working and studying. However, she made the most of this experience by learning how to maximise her time, ultimately discovering how studying in the UK would benefit both her development and future career path.
“My experience at the University of Derby was formative and challenging. I found the lessons intellectually stimulating and they encouraged me to push myself. At first it was overwhelming to be living away from home but after studying with the University and being exposed to the British culture, I felt an improvement in my self-esteem and communication skills. I started to slowly take an assertive approach, which I applied in advocating for my career growth and developing my business.”
Beyond her studies Diana also served as the Secretary of the Filipino-American Association, a voluntary, non-profit organisation dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity and facilitating access to community development through collaborative partnerships.
Finding inspiration
Whilst at university, Diana was selected to join Microsoft Embrace, a mentoring programme drawing attention to opportunities and inspiring students through technology.
“I felt immense gratitude to be part of Microsoft Embrace. It made me realise the importance of helping others and how networking can increase my visibility and reputation. Microsoft partnered us with their employees, who shared insight and experiences into their career progression. As part of this I learned so much about goal setting and it gave me a more positive self-image whilst increasing my motivation and belief in my own potential. I believe that having clear goals and working towards them has given life more meaning and purpose.”
This experience motivated Diana to create a personal development plan, which she keeps up to date with short and long-term goals. Towards the end of the Microsoft Embrace programme, Diana’s mentor introduced her to a professional at Microsoft who studied accounting but later changed the trajectory of their career. This demonstrated the variable nature of career paths to Diana and showed the importance of remaining flexible and being willing to adapt to new circumstances and opportunities.
As well as learning through Microsoft Embrace, other activities on her course, such as completing an independent study project, had a big impact on Diana. The project was an ambitious undertaking, involving months of hard work gathering and interpreting data, which further ignited Diana’s passion for continuous learning.
“My University experience was a powerful catalyst for self-discovery. I built confidence and self-reliance by challenging myself through rigorous coursework and research. Earning a first class honours has been a testament to my dedication and perseverance, and I consider it as just the start of my journey.”
Advice for current students
Diana believes that current students should carefully consider which course they would like to study and pick a programme that aligns with their career goals. She also recommends maximising the University’s networking opportunities to foster connections with like-minded individuals. One of Diana’s current personal goals is adding a new contact to her network every week, and this proactive approach has enabled her to leverage her position at work and expand her business connections.
Becoming an entrepreneur
Diana is proud to have co-founded Sleek Events along with her business partner. Initially a 360 photobooth rental business, it has recently expanded to encompass a broader service offer to include event curation and décor services. The business model generates benefits from partnering with other female entrepreneurs when managing events, furthermore they aspire to grow their business internationally when an appropriate opportunity arises.
Applying knowledge
Diana is now a Human Resources Executive at Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo, a family-owned business operating in multiple locations in Bahrain. Their core business is automotive retail and aftersales services offering both passenger and commercial products.
Diana’s role involves handling HR tasks such as building and maintaining stakeholder relationships, making timely and informed decisions on complex issues, identifying and mitigating risk, developing and implementing HR strategies and fostering a positive and productive work culture.
The knowledge acquired through her studies has supported Diana to improve efficiency via updates to policies and procedures and the effective assignment of specific responsibilities across the organisation, which has created an impact by streamlining processes and creating a more organised work environment.
Diana advises current students to curate their interpersonal skillset whilst at University, so they can excel a human resources focused career.
“Working in HR means dealing with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Students should practice active listening, clear articulation, empathy, assertiveness, and develop successful conflict resolution. A strategic mindset is also vital for navigating complex HR challenges, especially when making informed decisions that can have financial implications.”
As she is interested in becoming a leader, Diana would like to continue her education noting.
“With the strong foundation provided by the University of Derby, I feel confident in my ability to become a strategic leader who can navigate complex business environments and deliver impactful results. To qualify for a leadership role, I am planning to further my education. I want my next educational experience to further challenge me to think beyond conventional boundaries and foster innovation.”
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