Meet Bhavik, who studied BSc Computer Science with a Year in Industry.
Bhavik Narang - Alumnus
Tell us about your career path since graduation. How did you end up where you are?
After graduating from Royal Holloway, my professional journey truly began when I accepted a return offer to join Deloitte – a pivotal first step into a career that, perhaps unexpectedly, perfectly aligned with my strengths.
I initially came to university with aspirations of becoming a developer but discovered that I thrive on interaction and high-level problem-solving, preferring to yap with people than get bogged down in every technical detail. I started as a Technical Business Analyst at Deloitte, working closely with people to bridge the gap between business needs and technological solutions, before my job evolved into Technical Project Manager, roles which granted me more control over project teams to implement processes that maximise efficiency and client value. Gravitating to public sector projects, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide array of clients gaining an incredibly diverse and impactful experience.
I’ve also served as a tech lead on internal projects, allowing me to maintain and hone my technical skills and continue coding. The mentorship and the complex challenges I've faced at Deloitte have allowed me to build a massive network and solidify my reputation. It's a journey that continually offers new learning curves and opportunities to make a real impact, often in ways I hadn't initially anticipated but have come to deeply value.
What was it about your time at Royal Holloway that has most benefitted your career or influenced your path since graduation?
My time at Royal Holloway provided a crucial foundation for my career, especially in shaping my understanding of the diverse skills needed to bridge technology and people. One module that particularly stood out was User-Centred Design - it equipped me with the unique ability to converse effectively with designers and understand their way of thinking, a skill that has proven incredibly important as a Business Analyst.
My final year independent project on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), where I could delve into research entirely on my own terms, was an amazing experience. My project advisor was incredibly supportive, even fighting my corner when my passion led me to write nearly 30,000 words for my final report. Her belief in my dedication to the topic was truly inspiring.
More broadly, the overall environment at Royal Holloway strongly encouraged independent thought and problem-solving, qualities that have been invaluable in my career. There was just the right amount of guidance, allowing me to develop autonomy. In hindsight, at the time, I may have hated the group projects, but they did teach me a lot.
What would you say to potential students considering studying at Royal Holloway?
Royal Holloway is a fantastic place if you're looking to be part of a strong community and learn from some truly exceptional individuals. All the lecturers are incredibly knowledgeable in their fields and, if you find time to engage with them outside of class, you'll discover their genuine passion and incredibly supportive personalities.
It's crucial to understand that a university degree alone isn't a guarantee of a job. Royal Holloway offers excellent resources, like career advisors and internship opportunities, so leverage the doors that the university opens for gaining practical experience. My year in industry was transformative, not just for the work experience it provided but also for how it deepened my understanding of specific modules in my final year. I'd recommend it to anyone who joins.
What advice would you give to students thinking about a career in your sector?
For students thinking about a career in consulting or Technical Business Analyst roles, my primary advice is to cultivate a relentless desire to learn. Be comfortable - in fact, be excited - to be the 'dumbest in the room' sometimes. I genuinely love not being the smartest person because it means there's so much more I can absorb from others.
The biggest challenge in consulting is being comfortable with the unknown. I've joined projects where we started with very little clarity, and building solutions from the ground up can be daunting. However, it's an extremely rewarding experience when you're given the space to learn and find your way through complex problems and see the impact you can make.
What did you love most about your time at Royal Holloway and do you have a favourite memory?
What I absolutely cherished most about my time at Royal Holloway was the incredible sense of community and those utterly spontaneous, magical moments that just seemed to happen. My favourite memory is from my first year, living in Williamson. It randomly started snowing quite heavily one night in December, and within a couple of hours, somehow we'd found out that Founder's Field had a huge layer of snow collected. My flatmates and I took a few bin bags and, with about 20 other people, went sledging down the hill. It was hands-down my best memory of my time at Royal Holloway.
