For BSc Economics student Daniyal Haider, completing a Professional Experience Year at Unilever was an opportunity to put his university learning into practice, gain valuable industry experience and take the first steps towards a career in finance. 

The experience has already paid off, helping Daniyal secure a summer internship which he has since converted into a graduate role. 

Taking on real responsibility at Unilever 

Daniyal spent his Professional Experience Year working as a Finance Analyst in Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) within Unilever’s Home Care business. 

His responsibilities included managing monthly financial reporting and forecasting for a £500m business, developing business cases for new products and working closely with sales and supply chain teams. 

For Daniyal, the level of responsibility was one of the biggest highlights. 

“I was trusted with real work for a £500m business and regularly presented to senior leaders, which taught me far more than I expected in a year.” 

One of his proudest achievements was developing a Microsoft Copilot agent to help resolve inconsistencies between sales and supply chain forecasts. 

The tool reduced the gap between their forecasts to below 2%, addressing a problem that teams had struggled with for some time. 

“Building something that made colleagues’ work easier and lives on beyond my time was very satisfying.”

From university lectures to the workplace 

Daniyal had always intended to complete a Professional Experience Year, recognising how valuable industry experience could be when applying for graduate jobs. 

Moving from university into a professional environment took some adjustment, particularly when it came to managing deadlines and understanding how his work contributed to business decisions. 

“It was a big shift, but a positive one. Deadlines are tied to the business calendar rather than a term, and your work affects real decisions.” 

While his first two years studying Economics at Roehampton had given him a foundation in financial markets and the wider economy, his time at Unilever allowed him to develop practical skills in financial forecasting, Power BI, Power Query and AI tools. 

He also gained confidence communicating with colleagues across different departments and presenting financial information to senior stakeholders. 

Throughout the process, Daniyal received support from Roehampton’s placements team, who helped him navigate multiple offers, interviews and the necessary approvals before starting his role. He also had regular catch-ups with his university supervisor during the year. 

Outside of work, Daniyal made the most of the social opportunities at Unilever, joining colleagues for football, fundraising events and social activities. These experiences helped him build friendships and connections across the organisation. 

Returning to Roehampton with a clearer career direction 

Now back at Roehampton for his final year, Daniyal has found that his professional experience has changed how he approaches his studies. 

Having worked with real financial data and business challenges, he can now connect the theory covered in lectures with situations he encountered at Unilever. 

His experience has also helped him identify the type of career he wants to pursue. 

“It confirmed my interest in finance, particularly roles that combine analysis with commercial decision-making.” 

Perhaps the biggest benefit has been the opportunities that followed. Daniyal secured a summer internship immediately after his Professional Experience Year, which he has since converted into a graduate role. 

With a job already secured, he can now concentrate on making the most of his final year at Roehampton. 

Daniyal’s advice to other students 

For students considering a Professional Experience Year, Daniyal’s advice is simple: 

“Absolutely do it. A year in a real role, with real projects and a professional network, is worth more than almost anything else you can do at university. Plus, you get paid!” 

He also encourages students to start their applications early, seek support from the University’s placements team and be proactive in pursuing opportunities. 

“Apply early, use the placements team and ask questions. Huge emphasis on being proactive – no one will put these things on your plate; go out and get them.” 

Interested in gaining professional experience alongside your degree? 

Find out more about studying BSc Economics at Roehampton and the opportunities to gain valuable industry experience through a Professional Experience Year.