Graduating this summer, BA Accounting & Finance student Iqra Aziz Malik shares how her Durham experience helped shape her academic, professional and personal journey, preparing her for a career with KPMG UK.
Graduation feels like the moment when three years of hard work, challenges and personal growth finally come together.
Studying at Durham has been such an important part of my journey, so graduating makes the end of my university experience feel very real. It also gives me a chance to pause and appreciate how far I have come before taking the next step into my professional career.
Walking into the next chapter feels exciting, but also quite emotional knowing that this particular chapter of my life has come to an end.
What I will remember most is the ceremony as a whole – from walking from Durham Castle towards the Cathedral to the moment of walking across the stage.
“With the job market becoming increasingly competitive, particularly for business graduates, I would encourage students to start thinking about their career from their first year.” – Iqra Aziz Malik
“With the job market becoming increasingly competitive, particularly for business graduates, I would encourage students to start thinking about their career from their first year.”
The walk itself feels like a small part of the day, but when your name is called and you take those few steps across the stage, it becomes such a special moment. It only lasts around five or seven seconds, but after three years of studying at Durham, it feels incredibly significant. It is one of those moments that I know I will cherish and remember for a very long time.
For me, crossing the stage represents much more than receiving a degree. It represents the late nights, difficult exams, moments of self-doubt and all the small achievements along the way that eventually led to this moment.
I feel that I am representing my family, who have always encouraged me to aim higher, as well as the younger version of myself who first came to the UK with the ambition of studying at one of the top universities. It is a reminder that the effort you put in, even when nobody sees it, eventually becomes something you can be proud of.
Graduating doesn’t feel like the end of learning; it feels like the beginning of applying what I have learned in a different environment.
My degree has given me technical knowledge, but it has also taught me how to think critically, solve problems and approach challenges with confidence. As I begin my career in audit, I hope to use those skills to build trust and contribute meaningfully to the organisations and people I work with.
I also want to continue learning and developing throughout my career rather than seeing graduation as the finish line.
The most memorable aspect of my studies will be the people I met along the way.
Being at Durham gave me the opportunity to meet people from different countries and backgrounds, and to form friendships with people I may never have crossed paths with otherwise. Learning about different cultures and perspectives, both inside and outside the classroom, made my university experience much richer.
Long after I graduate, I think the friendships and connections I made will be one of the things I remember most fondly about my time at Durham.
My biggest piece of advice would be not to focus solely on your grades. University is also an opportunity to explore your interests, meet people from different backgrounds and build experiences beyond your degree.
“Long after I graduate, I think the friendships and connections I made will be one of the things I remember most fondly about my time at Durham.” – Iqra Aziz Malik
“Long after I graduate, I think the friendships and connections I made will be one of the things I remember most fondly about my time at Durham.”
With the job market becoming increasingly competitive, particularly for business graduates, I would encourage students to start thinking about their career from their first year. Explore different career paths, take advantage of opportunities and start building your experience early it can give you greater clarity and put you one step ahead when applying for graduate roles.
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