Rumannah Akhtar

Rumannah Akhtar enjoyed studying at the University of Derby so much so that upon completing her MSc Marketing Management degree, she decided to stay as a Strategic Partnerships and Business Engagement Officer. She then transitioned into the External Relations department, and is currently an Apprenticeships and Marketing Assistant.

Beginning her studies

Born and raised in Derby, as soon as Rumannah began studying a BA (Hons) Business Management degree, she felt like her life was changed forever.

The Business Management course enabled her to explore her strengths and weaknesses across various sectors, including finance, HR, marketing, entrepreneurship and more. Through this programme Rumannah discovered her passion for marketing and creativity.

In addition to her academics, Rumannah believes that her life improved as a result of the people that she met along the way.

“The people who supported me, taught me, guided me, and those who I’ve made long lasting friendships and memories with are the people who have shaped me into the person I am today.”

It was during her second year that Rumannah decided she would like to pursue academia, working hard and prioritising her studies to achieve a first-class Honours degree. During her master’s degree, Rumannah balanced her studies with two jobs, securing a role as a Strategic Partnerships and Business Engagement Officer.

“I’m proud of the university for providing me the opportunity to not just pursue my academia, but to secure a professional role in higher education, and providing more opportunities for me to enhance my skills!

From studying to working

Rumannah believes that the Careers and Employment Service offered exceptional support, facilitating mock interviews, providing job opportunities suited to her preferences and offering 1-1 advice, enabling her to discover her first role as a Strategic Partnerships and Business Engagement Officer. She was then provided another opportunity within the External Relations department, and is currently an Apprenticeship & Marketing Assistant.

In this role, Rumannah supports the coordination of key events such as the East Midlands Degree Apprenticeship fair for National Apprenticeship Week.

“I had the opportunity to support the organisation of such a huge event with over 800 students from across Derbyshire, and over 20 employers engaging with prospective apprentices. It was truly rewarding to have meaningful conversations with employers and witness the impact of the event. Seeing months of planning transform from documents and ideas into a vibrant, dynamic experience was nothing short of amazing.”

Rumannah's previous role as a Strategic Partnerships & Business Engagement Officer provided the opportunity to engage with the university's key stakeholders, and first-hand experience in a professional setting.

“A huge part of my role was promoting the fantastic internships, placements and job opportunities that our partners have for our students. As a student, I understand the importance of promoting our Strategic Partners to boost student engagement and provide more opportunities throughout their university journey. My role was key in ensuring students were aware of the wide range of opportunities to choose from, working with our strategic partnerships to help them kick-start and grow their careers.”

Rumannah’s degrees have provided her with valuable skills to support her in this role. For instance, her Business Management degree boosted her project management, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, which have been particularly helpful for managing relationships and understanding the bigger picture of how these relationships contribute towards the University’s goals. Her Master’s in Marketing Management built upon this further, pushing her to apply her knowledge of digital marketing, content creation and audience engagement when promoting the exciting opportunities on offer.

Advice for students

Rumannah believes being organised is key, so she advises current students to prepare their notes and plan ahead to complete their coursework and exams.

However, she also thinks it is important for students to balance their studies with enjoying the experience of being at university.

“Have fun, explore all the restaurants, the events, our societies, your social life – enjoy your time at university! Of course, you must study hard and prioritise completing your assignments and studying for exams, but it is equally important to establish a healthy balance.”

For students who are interested in a similar role to her own, Rumannah recommends developing strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills. She also believes that getting some experience can be a great stepping stone, so look for internships or part-time roles.

“My goal is to give back to the University as much as it has given me and contribute towards its ongoing success, whether that’s through my role and career or my passion for pursuing further academia.”