Growing up in Delhi with my family has deeply influenced my approach to both work and life. I’m fortunate to have a supportive wife, mother, and sister, and together, we help each other navigate the challenges of day-to-day responsibilities. Family has always been a constant source of strength and motivation, especially during difficult times. The loss of my father during the pandemic was one of the hardest moments of my life, but I’ve learned to focus on the positives. I believe everything happens for a reason, and his passing has only strengthened my resolve to care for my family and continue advancing in my career. It has also made me deeply appreciative of the friends and family around me. Life is unpredictable, and it’s crucial to live fully, never taking our loved ones for granted.

My journey took me to the University of East London, where I discovered the opportunity to pursue a degree in Human Resources through a recommendation from a friend of my uncle. Coming from India to the UK was a significant adjustment. In India, we’re accustomed to close-knit family units, so being alone in a foreign country was a challenge at first. People in the UK tend to be more reserved, and striking up conversations with strangers felt a bit awkward initially. However, as an extrovert, I didn’t struggle too much. I love meeting new people and learning from their experiences, so I embraced every opportunity to interact with my peers at university.

After graduating, I returned to India to be with my family after the loss of my father. This period gave me the responsibility to support my loved ones and take on new challenges. Thankfully, my international degree played a key role in helping me secure a managerial position at HDFC Bank, one of India’s leading financial institutions. For the past 2.5 years, I’ve been managing a team of five and overseeing multiple client portfolios. The experience has been both rewarding and a continuous learning journey.

In my role, the biggest challenge is navigating the complexities of India’s vast and diverse market. With a population of over 1.4 billion, there’s always pressure to maintain strong customer relationships while adhering to company policies. I’ve learned to stay grounded in my values and always prioritise ethical practices, even when the temptation to push boundaries for a deal arises. Balancing a heavy workload, managing client portfolios, and ensuring my team’s performance continues to be both challenging and rewarding.

For someone looking to enter this industry, my advice is to always stay positive and believe in yourself. Don’t rely on anyone else to achieve your goals. It’s all about self-motivation and pushing yourself forward, even through tough times. Challenges are a part of life, but they shouldn’t hold you back—they should motivate you to keep going.

Jasdeep Suri