Adrian Sjahid

What attracted you to choose the University of Surrey and to study your course here?

The strength of the Economics programme was a big factor in my decision of choosing Surrey. Being an international student, it was also important for me to have good access to London (which was very useful when attending job interviews), while also still having that on-campus setting which does not come with a city university.

What is your strongest memory of your time at Surrey – what do you picture first when you think of being here?

Delivering the speech at my graduation ceremony was definitely the highlight of my time at Surrey. Standing up there in front of all the students, families, and academics at Guildford Cathedral was both nerve-racking and exciting. Having the chance to speak on behalf of my cohort on my last day as a Surrey student is something I am very grateful for.

What were the best things about your course?

"Being taught by professors and lecturers who were truly passionate about their work makes a big difference in enjoying your course."

Being taught by professors and lecturers who were truly passionate about their work makes a big difference in enjoying your course. Regarding the course itself, the variety of optional modules meant I could explore my interest in various fields of economics. I also had the chance to be the course representative during my second and third years, which was a very rewarding experience.

What do you do now and what do you find most enjoyable about your work? Have there been any highlights?

I am an analyst at Compass Lexecon, an economic consulting firm. Prior to this role, I worked in strategy consulting at EY-Parthenon. In my current role, I get to work on cases involving real-life applications of the economic theories I learned at university. At Compass Lexecon, I have been involved in litigations and mergers, where I get to see first-hand how economics can impact decisions made by both businesses and regulators.

How did your time at Surrey help you choose what career to go into?

In my first year at Surrey, I was not sure what career I wanted to have. I knew I wanted to go into consulting, but exactly what type was the big question. Fortunately, I took the industrial organisation module in my third year, which gave me an insight into economic consulting. My time at Surrey also prepared me for my masters at Cambridge, and both degrees were very helpful in leading me to the career I am currently working in.

What is your advice for students aspiring to work in your profession?

It is important not only to have a solid understanding of competition economics and the technical capabilities (e.g. Stata skills) that you learn at university, but also to have the soft skills and people skills required to be an economic consultant.

Finally, do you have any other comments you’d like to offer about your time at Surrey or life after university?

"...looking back on it, I truly think it shaped me to be who I am today."

Being at Surrey was an amazing experience. There were both ups and downs, but looking back on it, I truly think it shaped me to be who I am today.

Life after university can seem daunting and uncertain, as you lose the routine that lectures and classes provided. However, there is so much more to come after graduating. My only advice (which I also talked about in my speech) is to soak up every experience and to keep moving forward in face of adversity.

Discover more about undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered by the School of Economics.