SPOTLIGHT
NAME: Wilson Ndung’u Muthiora
UNIVERSITY: United States International University - Africa
CAREER: Banking Operations (Portugal) - BNP PARIBAS
20
17 Class of Class of
We created the Alumni Spotlight In order to highlight our awesome group of individuals that are part of the Brookhurst Alumnus. Brookhurst's years of Alumni have been engaging in positive contributions to society, their families and the world. Spotlighting individual members helps us to motivate the current class of students to see the sky is not the limit, more is possible.
Alumni Spotlight will be a monthly publication on our social media platforms and will lead to the development in the annual Brookhurst Yearbook. Enjoy our 19th issue.
Cheers,
Q 1
What are your fondest memories about your time at Brookhurst International School?
My 3 fondest memories still stay with me to this day. The first one is winning our first football tournament trophy at Brookhurst International Schools (Kiserian). It’s great to be a pioneering winner in the school’s football history. The second memory is in my academics as I achieved top position in my Year 9 class. Finally, Making my parents proud by receiving the Most Disciplined Student award at Brookhurst.
Q 2
Which values did Brookhurst impart on you that have an effect on you today?
Brookhurst International Schools instilled a strong sense of discipline that shaped my character as a student as well as a person. Character and hard work are also crucial values the school imbues and transmitted into me.
These values are crucial in the finance world especially in the European banking sector.
What are you currently up to (Academically/Professionally)?
Currently, I am working for BNP PARIBAS in Portugal. My academic background and habit of always being kind of a workaholic has me specializing in the operations and settlements department of the bank. I work within the back office structure of the bank as the settlement and operations department is tasked with the primary function of ensuring that all transactions are executed, reconciled, and monitored in a way that adheres to internal policies and regulatory guidelines. The union of operations and settlements functions means settlement roles are keenly supervised.
There are positives to working abroad. Firstly, the opportunity to work with renowned international corporations. Secondly, I have garnered global experience from working in such a developed environment. Finally, you get to work with a diverse array of people. The biggest challenge I have experienced so far is the language barrier. I work in a highly multi-lingual setting.
What did you benefit from the most whilst doing your studies at Brookhurst?
To be honest the school’s reputation of providing an international academic structure gave me the best foundation for where I am today. The British national curriculum and Brookhurst’s reputation of quality graduates allowed me to get into university and begin my studies in International Business Administration. I rely on my secondary and university outcomes to build upon my academic and professional future abroad.
I love the work and experience I am gaining and hope to build my career from here. The key is to continue to give 100% in all that I do. Banking asks a lot from you but I have always asked a lot from myself, from Brookhurst to USIU to my life right now.
Tell us about your transition to university life? What has been your experience?
I think my transition to United States International University- Africa was reasonable and fair. I joined to study International Business Administration. I think the biggest culture shock was realizing in university there is no academic staff following up with you to ensure that you study or stay informed.
I wasn’t in Brookhurst anymore. The teachers were always ensuring you were consistent in your studies. The university experience calls upon you to ensure that you keep your education as your one and only priority. The key is to come to the realization that ‘EVERYTHING IS ON YOU’.
What advice would you give a Brookhurst graduate who is transitioning to university?
I try to keep my advise brief and to the point. I would urge the graduating classes of Brookhurst International Schools to continue to be open minded and adaptable in different environments and organizational structures.
The current world is changing and the Brookhurst graduate also has to change. First, embrace a mindset of continuous learning. From undergrad to masters degrees to also incorporate micro credentials (online courses). Finally, embrace and develop unique human skills. Skills like problem solving, emotional intelligence, creativity and innovation.
Brookhurst graduates should continue to be open minded and adaptable in different environments and organizational structures