Meet Bhavik, who studied BSc Computer Science with a Year in Industry, now working at Deloitte
Bhavik Narang
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.
Initially I 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. At Deloitte I started as a Technical Business Analyst, working closely with people to bridge the gap between business needs and technological solutions.
My job then evolved into Technical Project Manager, which gave me more control over project teams to implement processes that maximise efficiency and client value. Gravitating to public sector projects, I’ve undertaken complex challenges and had the opportunity to work with a wide array of clients, gaining an incredibly diverse and impactful experience.
I’ve also been a tech lead on internal projects, allowing me to maintain and hone my technical skills and continue coding. I've now built a massive network and solidified my industry 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 value deeply.
What was it about your time at Royal Holloway that has most benefited your career or influenced your path since graduation?
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 was on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Delving 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 encourages 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?
If you're looking to be part of a strong community and learn from some truly exceptional individuals, Royal Holloway is a fantastic place! 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.
A university degree alone isn't a guarantee of a job, but Royal Holloway provides excellent resources, like career advisors and internship opportunities 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?
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 was covered in huge layer of snow. 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.
