Sunny took part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme in 2013-14 and was Managing Director of his Student Company, ACE. The team went on to win UK Student Company of the Year and were runners up in the JA European Student Company of the Year.
“One of the main benefits is talking about it in interviews. Employers are aware of Young Enterprise because of the versatile set of skills gained from the experience.”
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, background and career history?
I took part in the Young Enterprise Company programme in 2013/14 and I was Managing Director of our Student Company, ACE. We were crowned UK Student Company of the Year and we’re runners up in the JA European Student Company of the Year.
Following Young Enterprise, I went on to complete my A-levels and then I went on to study Computer Science at Queen Mary University in London. I am currently a Software Engineer at an investment bank in the City of London and Trustee of the charity, Let’s Help Foundation.
How did you get involved with Young Enterprise and what do you remember from your experience?
It was the first time our school had done Young Enterprise but when the opportunity was presented to myself and my peers, we all jumped at the chance. Company Programme was a truly memorable experience and looking back on the 9 months, it went incredibly quickly but what made it most enjoyable was the passion that everyone had in the team and seeing our idea turn into an actual product.
What do you think you learnt about yourself? Were there any particular skills you developed?
Confidence and public speaking were two fundamental skills I developed from Young Enterprise. Having the position of Managing Director meant chairing each meeting and that was something outside of my comfort zone at the time. However, throughout the year, my confidence improved and speaking in front of others became easier. I strongly believe these are two important skills required for everyday life. Being able to present yourself in front of an audience and confidently expressing your ideas. Problem solving skills naturally improve when you are part of Young Enterprise because you are required to think logically and methodically in order to succeed.
Did participation in Young Enterprise influence your plans for the future?
Whilst my intentions to work in software engineering were set from a young age, Young Enterprise certainly influenced the plans of other team members, including a team member who is currently working in incubators very closely with start-ups which is a complete change from Geology, which is what he originally wanted to study!
Did your experience of Company Programme and the skills you developed benefit you in your career?
100% without a doubt. One of the main benefits is talking about it in interviews. Employers are aware of Young Enterprise because of the versatile set of skills gained from the experience. You’re able to easily provide answers to common interview questions. Apart from the interview experience, Young Enterprise teaches you a level of professionalism that you would not typically get at that age. The skills you develop throughout the programme develop you for any career in the workplace in the future.
Do you think opportunities like Young Enterprise are important for young people? Why
Young Enterprise provides a platform and a framework for young individuals to kickstart their own business. This is a stark difference to what is traditionally offered in schools and it truly has the potential to shape an individual’s career as well as provide them with the necessary transferable skills that are attributable to everyday life. These kinds of opportunities are incredibly important for young people; it gives them an insight into the real world whilst still studying.