Dhruvika Patel, Class of 2022

Hi Dhruvika! You graduated from Amsterdam School of International Business (AMSIB) with a Bachelor’s degree in specialization Finance and Control in 2022. What have you been up to since your graduation?

While I was still studying, I undertook finance internships and a thesis internship with Chanel in 2021, spanning a year. In June 2022, I commenced employment with Keesing Media Group as a financial accountant, where I have been employed to date. Alongside my professional endeavours, I have pursued continuous skill enhancement through various courses such as PowerBI, Advanced Excel, SQL, and Microsoft Dynamics 365. Recently, I have embarked on self-studying for the CFA (Certified Financial Accountant) qualification.

I was super passionate about entrepreneurship, I established my first freelance company, Infinity Educare, in 2019. Over the years, I have nurtured this venture, offering crash courses in Finance and IQM (Information and Quantitative Methods), assisting over 400 students in passing IQM and finance examinations. In 2020, I co-founded an Indian grocery store named "De Indian Mart" with a friend, which I actively manage alongside him and two employees. Our concerted efforts have contributed to a notable growth of 19% in sales over the past 3.5 years.

You work as a Financial Accountant at Keesing Media Group, and at the same time running your own business De Indian Mart. Can you walk us through a typical day in your professional life and how you balance these responsibilities?

Allow me to describe a typical day in my life. I generally begin work between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. My day starts with the creation of a detailed agenda, providing a clear outline of how I will allocate my time. Prior to the lunch break, I focus on tasks that require team collaboration. I take a short break at noon, during which I either go for a brief walk with colleagues or have lunch in the canteen. After the lunch break, I primarily work independently on my assigned tasks. I finish work at 5:00 PM and subsequently spend two hours at “De Indian Mart.” At the store, I handle administrative tasks to ensure smooth operations and conduct brief discussions with staff to review recent market trends, customer needs, and future goals. I return home by 8:30 PM, have dinner, and retire for the night at 10:30 PM.

To manage all these responsibilities, I incorporate a few small practices into my daily routine:

• Daily yoga/meditation
• Creating and regularly updating an agenda to ensure no tasks are overlooked
• Eating healthily and getting sufficient sleep (aiming for 7-8 hours)
• Allocating time for relaxation and self-reflection

Reflecting on your time at AMSIB, what are the key take-aways from your studies that you find useful in your career and how did they prepare you for your entrepreneurial journey?

I found the entire course to the super practical and helpful. Here are couple of examples that helped me greatly:

1) In first year we had a course called Co-Creative entrepreneurship. In this course, I got exposure of running business in Netherlands. I understood the rules, registration process, formalities, certifications needed in detail. By the end of this course, I was really confident on starting business on my own.

2) In my third year, I majored in Finance and Control. During this course, my professor assigned me the role of Finance and Control Manager for a simulated cycling production company. This exercise taught me valuable skills in teamwork, cross-cultural behaviour, and SAP-ERP systems. These experiences have been instrumental in my work at Keesing Media Group, a multinational company, by enhancing my ability to understand and collaborate with diverse individuals.

During your experience at AMSIB, can you recount a particularly memorable moment or period that stands out as your favourite?

My favorite period was the internship and thesis year. During this time, I received excellent guidance from the university and gained practical work experience by applying what I had learned over the past three years of my academic career. I worked at Chanel as an Accounts Payable Intern, where I primarily utilized Microsoft Dynamics, advanced Excel, and accounting software. I applied the knowledge acquired from my International Finance and IT courses, which proved invaluable as I transitioned into my first professional role. An academic year I completed a case study on financial performance of Tesla. this is a project I completed in my International Finance class, where I analyzed global financial markets using advanced analytical tools, which directly contributed to my proficiency in managing financial tasks at Chanel.

During my thesis, I took a course called Advanced Leadership Management, which emphasized formulating life goals and creating prototype conversations for career planning. One of the goals I set was to secure a job in the finance sector after graduation. This goal-setting process was instrumental in helping me land a full-time position at Keesing Media Group. For example, the course included a project where we developed detailed career roadmaps, which directly informed my job search strategy and interview preparation. I am deeply grateful for the practical curriculum at AMSIB, which provided me with the tools and guidance necessary to achieve my career objectives.

If you had the chance to tweak or enrich one aspect of your experience at AMSIB, what would it be and why?

Due to the pandemic, I had to complete my third year online, which made studying particularly challenging. For example, the virtual format hindered my ability to engage in meaningful discussions and collaborate effectively with classmates.

There were instances when I missed university events. In retrospect, I would prioritize attending all university events because this unique period of life is fleeting. For instance, participating in career fairs and networking sessions would have been invaluable for building connections. Once university life ends, professional commitments often make it difficult to find time to reconnect with friends, sometimes requiring months just to arrange a simple get-together.

Considering your journey and experiences, what advice would you offer to current students navigating their academic and professional paths?

When I was 18, my grandfather gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me ever since: "Remember, your next four years will decide the next forty years of your life." I took his words to heart and approached my decisions and actions with a sense of purpose and responsibility, understanding that the foundations I set during those formative years would shape my future.

Begin considering your professional path while still studying. Expose yourself to different environments to understand what suits you best. For example, attend open days at corporate offices, engage in conversations with professionals in your desired roles, and pursue part-time jobs or volunteer work in your dream field. These experiences can help you navigate your professional journey while still in school.

Continuously update your skills and research recent market trends. It's essential to recognize that starting your professional journey requires learning many skills beyond what is taught at university. For example, mastering advanced Excel, honing time management abilities, learning to prioritize tasks, maintaining professional relationships, and working effectively in multicultural teams are all crucial skills to develop.

As an established professional and alumna, what wisdom or guidance would you share with fellow alumni as they embark on their own careers?

• Networking and Relationships: Building and maintaining professional relationships is key to career success. Networking is not just about making connections but nurturing them. Attend industry events, join professional groups, and stay in touch with your peers and mentors.
  
• Adaptability and Resilience: The ability to adapt and remain resilient in the face of challenges is vital. There will be setbacks and changes in your career, but viewing these as opportunities for growth will serve you well. For example, during the pandemic, I had to quickly adapt to remote work, which taught me new ways to collaborate and stay productive.

During my early career, I worked at Chanel as an Accounts Payable Intern. This role required me to apply the knowledge I gained from my International Finance and IT courses, and it underscored the importance of practical skills. Additionally, my experience navigating online studies during the pandemic highlighted the value of adaptability and resilience.

To conclude, set clear goals, commit to lifelong learning, build strong relationships, and embrace adaptability. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. As you embark on your career journey, stay curious, stay connected, and never stop striving for excellence.

Lastly, to add a bit of fun to our conversation, could you share an interesting or quirky fact about yourself that others might not know?

Certainly! After achieving all that I have in the Netherlands, including completing my studies and establishing myself professionally, I am embarking on a new chapter in my life. After my marriage in December, I am thrilled to announce that I will be relocating across the world to New Zealand. I am eager to begin this new journey alongside Harsh, my partner, and embrace the opportunities and challenges that await us. This move marks an exciting new chapter in both my personal and professional life, and I am looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead.

Lastly I would like to say "Embrace the journey of life's transitions, for with each new chapter comes the opportunity to write a beautiful story of growth, love, and endless possibilities."