Aliya A.

Supporting the finance team and business while working towards my professional qualification.

As a General Sales Assistant at Matalan, I was responsible for delivering exceptional customer service by assisting customers with inquiries, providing product information, and ensuring a positive shopping experience. I actively engaged with customers to drive sales and consistently exceeded the 60% swipe rate target for the Matalan card. Additionally, I maintained a clean, organized store environment and contributed to visual merchandising efforts. I also collaborated effectively with my team to meet overall store targets.

I participated in Ambition Nottingham to explore into the fields of engineering and technology, driven by my passion for problem-solving. This experience allowed me to explore various career paths within these industries, understand the practical applications of my skills, and gain insight into how technology and engineering can be used to tackle real-world challenges. I aimed to broaden my knowledge of these fields and assess the potential opportunities they offer for my future career.

The Derby Scholars Programme was designed to support my aspirations of gaining further education. The programme gave me guidance, mentoring, and resources to help me develop my understanding of student life. I benefited from workshops, practice interviews, and personal statement support, all focused on enhancing my academic and interview skills. We also took a trip to both the University of Oxford and Cambridge and benefited from the advice and experience that was given from both lecturers and students.

Working towards CIMA Professional qualification (CGMA), covering financial reporting, management accounts, performance and strategic analysis within the business.