Soon to join Blackrock as an Analyst, she reflects on her studies, her love of sport, her interest in diversity, and why the sense of community has been so important.
Can you tell us about your background and your reasons for choosing to study at the Business School?
I come from a multinational and multiracial background, as my dad is from the Netherlands and my mum is from Morocco. I lived in six different countries growing up, but I spent the largest part of my life in the Netherlands.
When I was 14, my family moved to Spain to be closer to my mum’s family and I went to a British school there and followed the English curriculum. I always knew that I wanted to look for opportunities to study abroad, even when I was still living in the Netherlands, but attending a British school opened my eyes to opportunities in the UK.
Because of my passion for mathematics and business at school, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to pursue a degree in accounting and finance.
The University of Edinburgh was one of the first universities I came to visit and I fell in love with the city and the University, and the fact that the Business School’s accounting and finance programme was highly ranked.
Given my passion for sport, I was also attracted by the University’s world-class sports facilities.
What have you enjoyed most about your studies?
I have enjoyed the community feeling the most. When I came to university I knew almost no one and I was set to meet lots of new people, just like everyone else at university!
I was particularly surprised by how many people I met with a similar background to mine, having moved all over the world or coming from a multicultural family, but I also enjoyed meeting people with completely different backgrounds to me.
I have made some of my best friends through 'putting myself out there', even though I was quite shy when I came to university. Joining a sports club gave me a huge sense of community and let me meet so many people outside of my course.
I also made some of my closest friends within the Business School. In first year especially when our lectures were filled with 400 students, I always did my best to meet a new face.
Another thing that I enjoyed about my degree is how it has challenged me to think critically and think outside of the box. I had always been quite comfortable performing calculations and doing arithmetic, but my degree also challenged my communication skills, my teamworking skills, and my written communication.
I have seen myself grow so much over my four years at university, and I have been able to work on so many hard and soft skills.
The recent pandemic has created extra challenges for students. Can you tell us about your experience during this time and what you have learnt about yourself?
It certainly has been a challenge. It was quite a lonely environment and I struggled at some points because I was not able to return home to my family. That said, I found immense support among my friends, as well as within the university community. That is what really kept me going and what helped me achieve the things that I achieved.
I learned that I can overcome adversity and still perform at my best. I feel fortunate to have had the support system that I did, as I fully acknowledge that others may not have been so fortunate. Despite the circumstances, I was able to achieve my personal goals and I am immensely proud of myself for doing so.
Can you tell us a bit about your involvement in non-academic activities?
I have been extremely involved in sport for the past four years. I have played for the first team of the Women’s Football Club, as well as acting as the Treasurer for two years before becoming the President in my final year.
Alongside this, I also took on the Honorary Treasurer position on the Executive Committee of the Sports Union for my last two years, which was an incredibly rewarding position. I have met so many fascinating people and some amazing friends through sport.
I have also been involved in some other extracurricular activities of the University, such as the PALS initiative, which has also been really enjoyable.
Can you tell us a bit your dissertation topic and why you chose it?
My dissertation focused on the impact of gender diversity within corporate boards on firm performance. I chose this topic because I have always been extremely interested in corporate governance but also social topics such as diversity, inclusion, and inequality.
As a mixed-race woman, I struggled to find role models who have successfully climbed the corporate ladder that look like me, especially when I was growing up. As a result, I really wanted to discuss the unequal opportunities that women and minorities face in the corporate world.
Although diversity spans multiple demographics, I narrowed my focus to gender only. The reason for this is because women are not technically a minority in the general population, and yet we are still far removed from a world with equal opportunities for men and women.
I was determined to complete a quantitative dissertation that was finance-oriented, so it made sense to look at the effect of board gender diversity on firm performance. I did so with a sample of listed companies in 21 European countries.
Among other achievements, you have been awarded the William V Stevens Prize, which is in memory of one of our early alumni. Can you tell us what this means to you?
After reading up on the story of William V Stevens and the prize in his name donated by his family, I am even more honoured to have received this award. He was a man who did so much for the Chamber of Commerce, the University, and beyond as shown by all the public responsibilities that he took on.
To a certain extent, I find that some of my achievements at university are parallel to his, as I was heavily involved in football too at a good level, while performing at my best in my degree.
What are your immediate career plans?
I will be starting as an Analyst at BlackRock in August, working in their Finance Team in Edinburgh. I had an internship with BlackRock last summer, which had to be completed virtually due to the pandemic. I was over the moon when they reached out to me and offered me a place on their Analyst Programme.
I am looking forward to working in the financial services industry, given that my degree was in Accounting and Finance, as well as having the opportunity to pursue professional qualifications with BlackRock.
I am also extremely happy to be staying in Edinburgh for a bit longer, as I have absolutely loved the city and its people for the past four years.
After gaining some experience working, I do hope that in the future I return to university to pursue an MBA. I am definitely considering returning to the University of Edinburgh Business School, as it has an incredibly strong programme.
What advice would you offer to current/future students?
- Make sure to try and join different societies and clubs, as it is a great way to meet people outside of your degree. But also make an effort to introduce yourself to people on your course. It is never too late to meet new people!
- Time management is an extremely important skill, especially if you want to succeed in your studies and take on extracurricular activities. The most important thing is getting the balance right but getting the balance right can help you succeed.
- Do not be afraid to reach out for help, especially when things get overwhelming. I always felt like I had to deal with things alone, but there are so many people out there who just want to help you succeed.
- Try to avoid comparing your university experience and performance to others, as everyone is on their own unique journey at university.
Can you help our students?
Cecilia is just one of the many Business School students graduating this summer.
To support them in their first few years, the UEBS Alumni Team are looking to create a number of virtual early career events — if you have a topic or advice you would like to share, please get in touch by emailing us on alumni@business-school.ed.ac.uk.