Najaf Ahmad

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Abroad Adviser

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

After leaving Exeter, I worked successfully with top MNCs with US, UK & European clients and received appreciation from COO and top level management for my excellence. I gained good experience in the field of Finance/Accounting, Business Development, Marketing/Sales, Research & Auditing. I am associated with a few NGOs as well as I am a social worker too. Currently, I am running 9 companies and I am founder & CEO of 8 companies among these 9 because another one was started by my respected father.  1) Abroad Adviser – Overseas Education Consulting Firm. 2) Translaat – A firm providing translation, transcription, interpretation & proofreading services of all languages. 3) Indgulf – Visa & manpower services to the Middle East. 4) Hire The Star – A recruitment firm for IT & Non-IT candidates. 5) Indrock – Exporter & supplier of all kinds of Indian Stones like – Granites, Marbles, Sand Stones and Tiles etc. 6) Indmode – Exporter & supplier of Ladies/Men Scarves and Ladies Suits. 7) Indkala – Exporter & supplier of Artificial Jewellery, Horn Plates and other Indian Handicraft Items. 8) Indport – Importer/Exporter & Supplier of Dates, Dry Fruits, Indian Spices & All types of Rices. 9) HN Batteries – Distributor of Exide Battery Industries and also deals in renewable energy. I am vastly experienced business professional/entrepreneur and constantly looks for new opportunities on the global stage and always interested to work with other entrepreneurs/startups. I promote entrepreneurship among others and I also help entrepreneurs/startups in funding their business projects. I am focused, ambitious and dares to take & make decisions. I believe in learning new skills everyday. 

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Everyday there is a new thing to learn. Interaction with students/clients is really very enjoyable. Fixing their issues/problems and making them delighted. Working with International clients, from almost every part of the world and to know their senses, way of thinking and mentality. No doubt, working with International clients, communication skills and business etiquettes have been improved a lot. Mentoring and Coaching my students, helping them in the admission process and visa, gives me immense pleasure. Apart from my work, I got an opportunity in my office to spend some time in Gym and other games.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

1) Community Action 2) Exeter Islamic Society 3) Exeter Hindu Society

Were you part of the Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme at any point during your studies?

Yes

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

Program was specially designed for finance professionals keeping in mind the requirements of industry/market. It was more focused upon practical knowledge rather than theoretical . Industry experts were also used to taking lectures. I studied among students from several countries of the world. It helped me a lot to interact or communicate with my own International clients. Business Ethics, I learnt in our program, helped to apply the same in my current role. Leadership quality which I gained through various employment sessions is really very helpful to apply in my business as I’m leading the entire organization in a very productive & efficient way. Working in a group and doing many projects with multi ethnic people really helped me to work upon projects with my own team members. I learnt how to work in a team and how to cooperate with each other.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

The Career employment section is incredibly supportive. Strong alumni network across the globe, additional classes of English and personal development for International Students. Employers presentations on campus and other several career enhancement activities, like CV preparation, Interview strategies, group discussion and online application and yes, of course, beautiful parties. Exeter is taking care of all the students as mother does.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

Excellent faculty, amazing world’s ranking, university reputation before employers & vibrant city. Course structure, modules, lectures followed by tutorial and seminars are designed as per the market/industry requirement. There is always innovation in its teaching. There are several reasons to choose it. It’s a complete house of successes.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Working in a group at Exeter was really very helpful. Attending employer presentations gives you great results. Lastly, never forget to attend the career employment section to keep themselves updated as per industry. Represent yourself genuinely, be innovative and energetic. Don’t restrict yourself to work for a certain number of hours. Respect your clients and colleagues. Delight your clients. Find out innovative and easy ways in order to solve the queries/issues of your clients. Think out of the box. Give ideas and focus on continuous process improvement.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Give great respect to others, don’t sleep much, need to have confidence in ourselves and always aim high. Think to create employment for others rather than to do merely a job in the market. At least, learn one new skill everyday. Enjoy what you learn. Build a strong network. Respect your time because it’s really very costly and try to wake up early in the morning. Be organised, be focused and don’t worry about the result, just keep making your sincere efforts. I bet, success will follow you.

What are your plans for the future?

To have our overseas education consulting firms in other countries too. To do farming in New Zealand and India. To build a good relationship between India and the UK. Invite investors/entrepreneurs to India & UK in order to further increase its economy and GDP. I personally observed as I did volunteering in Exeter, UK older citizens are very lonely, so will definitely plan something for them.