A turning point: how one award sparked new ambitions
Abdul, an international MSc Banking and Finance student at Queen Mary University of London, recently completed the Postgraduate Professional Development Award. Through a mix of workshops, reflective learning, and career-focused activities, Abdul developed key professional skills and built confidence navigating the UK job market. In this blog, he shares how the award complemented his academic journey and why he encourages other postgraduates to take part.
When I first heard about the Postgraduate Professional Development Award within the School of Economics and Finance, my initial reaction was that it was just an extra activity to do if you had the time. I was already busy with lectures, studying, and working as a Student Ambassador. But something was appealing to me in the award's promise — providing shape to professional development in four main areas Communication, Expertise, Market Awareness, and Employability. Fast forward a few months later, I can say with certainty that registering for it was one of the best things that has happened in my master's thus far.
So, how do you achieve the award?
The criteria is straightforward — but significant. You finish one activity in each of the four strands of development:
- Communication: I attended a presentation skills session — the sort of training that teaches you to present clearly and be heard when you're speaking to potential employers or colleagues.
- Experience: I attended the Morgan Stanley Sales & Trading and Investment Banking Simulation. The experience was high-intensity, practical, and realistic — I had a $20M portfolio that I managed and constructed a stock pitch utilizing valuation methods that I had only seen in textbooks. We’re talking actual Key Performance Indicators, live market scenarios, and having to be like the trader on the floor.
- Market Awareness: Due to this award, I was able to attend an insight day at the offices of J.P. Morgan in Canary Wharf. This was no classroom lecture - I was able to raise genuine questions, listen to experts, and gain an insight into what it is like working in one of the world's largest banks.
- Employability skills: I participated in career workshops that assisted me in creating an improved CV, making me ready for interviews, and teaching me how to be competitive in the UK job market. The sessions made it clear to me how to translate my education to actual working
Why did I participate?
Because I didn’t want my Master’s program to be solely coursework and grades. I desired to be able to graduate industry-ready, rather than "academically trained." The format of the award provided me with an unmistakable, actionable guide for making that possible.
Highlights and Benefits? Where do I begin?
- The JP Morgan experience was not merely an alumni visit. I networked with working professionals and saw the way professionals work and think. That kind of access and interaction was invaluable.
- Winning the Morgan Stanley competition and having been recognized as a top performer provided practical experience that looks great on my CV. But beyond that — it taught me what is possible for me.
- And the best part? Once I shared these experiences online, my LinkedIn profile took off! Today I have more than 4,500 followers, most of them in finance and banking. As a 22-year-old student, that level of exposure is immense. I’ve built a network, opened doors, and established a name for myself — while studying full-time along the way.
- Today, I am approached by peers as well as industry experts who have viewed my work or heard me present at events. The award gave me my voice — and gave it amplification.
Final thoughts
If you’re thinking about joining the PGT Award — do it. It’s not just a certificate. It’s a path to discovering what you love, connecting with the right people, and preparing for a future that goes beyond the classroom. Sometimes, one opportunity can change everything. For me, this was it.