Marko Benitez

When did you decide to come to Surrey? 

I decided to join Surrey a couple of years before applying. I was browsing the websites of different universities and Surrey just felt right and I knew I would be a great fit.

Why did you choose to come to Surrey?

Surrey is a well-rounded university that focuses not only on academics, but also helps to develop other areas of your life so that, when you graduate, you are more prepared for working life.

What was your first impression of Surrey?

"During Freshers’ Week, with the help of the amazing Freshers’ Angels and friendly staff, I immediately knew where to go and what I needed to do."

My first impression was that Surrey is a very welcoming university. During Freshers’ Week, with the help of the amazing Freshers’ Angels and friendly staff, I immediately knew where to go and what I needed to do.

Why are you passionate about your subject?

Accounting plays a fundamental part in the good running of society, and it is present everywhere we go and in everything we do. I believe it’s crucial to learn more about it and how it works, independent of the industry I decide to work in. It will always be a useful subject to learn.

Why did you choose to study your course at Surrey?

Surrey offers a strong line of support from the start of the course until even after you graduate. The University is well-known for having established connections with firms of all sizes, which benefits the students and ensures great quality teaching and professional training.

What do you like about your course and why?

"The modules reflect contemporary issues that professionals in the area are having to face now, which is great for preparing us for the working world. My timetable is well-structured and allows for a lot of independent studying, with set office hours when lecturers are available for consultation."

What are the academic staff and facilities like on your course?

Many lecturers have industry experience and are open to sharing their knowledge on specific areas. Every member of staff I’ve had contact with has been friendly and supportive. The library, during term time, is open 24/7, which gives me the possibility to study at whatever time suits me – this is a massive bonus which not every university can offer.

Are you part of any clubs or societies? How have they contributed to your Surrey experience?

The most striking has been the Surrey Consulting Society, which hosts Consulting Week yearly. This event enabled me to network with other students and participating firms, such as KPMG, EY and Accenture, to name a few. The Society also hosts consulting sessions throughout the year where students work together on different projects.

What are the best things about life in general at Surrey?

Guildford is a lovely town with good access to London, which facilitates commuting. The campus is very complete, with its own nightclub (Rubix), cafes, restaurants, shops, and a wide array of study spaces. It also features beautiful greenery and has its own lake, perfect for sitting around with friends for a picnic. The distance from campus to town centre means it is very easy to access facilities when needed.

Do you feel supported at Surrey?

At Surrey, each student is introduced to a personal tutor who provides guidance on a variety of topics, which at times is very reassuring. I have also made use of the Centre for Wellbeing, on campus, which provides different wellbeing services.

Have you used any of our support services?

MySurrey Hive is central to university life. Whenever I have an issue with my course or even unrelated questions, the staff at the Hive will know where to point me to.

What careers support have you received?

"I have participated in a few events hosted by the careers service.... These events are run regularly and I think every student should make the most of them."

I have participated in a few events hosted by the careers service, which includes help with CV-writing, job interviews, and talks by firms such as BDO, Accenture and Intel. These events are run regularly and I think every student should make the most of them.

I also took part in a career mentoring programme supported by the SurreyConnects platform, where I was connected with a mentor, allowing me to learn about different career paths available to me.

Finally, I threw myself at the opportunity to participate in the IKEEP intrapreneurial training led by the SETsquared partnership. This wonderful programme first educated me about intrapreneurship and how to think differently within a company, followed by a four-week project placement with a participating company, as a group of three students from different partner universities. This was a unique experience that will have a lasting impact on any career path I choose to follow.

How do you think your time at Surrey has impacted your employability once you graduate?

"I plan to keep saying yes to opportunities that the University throws at me..."

Since starting at Surrey, I have been able to gather a lot of experience in different areas. I plan to keep saying yes to opportunities that the University throws at me, as I know this will be an important factor to employers.

What has been your best moment at Surrey so far?

I really value the friendships I have made so far. Surrey facilitates meeting new people through its amazing campus with so many different things to do and societies to join.

Do you think you’ve changed since you started at Surrey?

I have definitely become more confident in the subject that I study and I know it is the right one for me. I have also become more willing to take part in completely new experiences that I might not have felt ready for before Surrey.

Do you know what you want to do when you graduate?

After graduating, I plan to pursue a professional qualification such as the ACA. However, thanks to my time at Surrey, I’m also open to other career paths that may come along.

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

Before starting, try to look up different extracurriculars that are offered by Surrey. I recommend taking part in a summer school programme, some of which are offered remotely and free. I also took an extra module in Spanish, supported by the Global Graduate Award in Languages. This is a free language module that you can take alongside your course.

Discover more about our undergraduate programmes in the Surrey School of Business, including our Accounting and Finance BSc.