During his time at Sussex, Omid Fazeli (Economics and Finance BSc) has participated in a range of extracurricular opportunities including the Career Lab Student Consultancy Programme, summer exchange programmes in Vienna and Germany, an internship at Gatwick Airport, and being an active member of the Iranian Society and the Finance Society.

The Careers and Entrepreneurship team recently caught up with Omid, to learn more about his experiences of the Student Consultancy Programme. Read on for an interview where Omid shares his insights and advice for students looking to take part in the programme:

Can you tell us a little about your role and what your work involved?

My role was as a Student Consultant for a spacecraft project. It mainly involved connecting with the client and the rest of the team, so I had to link my team’s ideas and needs with the client. Alongside that, I also did my own research on how to reduce the footprint of spacecraft after launch. Finally, I used all the gathered data and information in the presentation slide and presented my part to the external host organisation. 

What was the application process like, and do you have a recommendation to help someone become a successful applicant?   

Very smooth and easy. I only had to fill out some of the experience I had plus choose my preference on the type of the project and company I wanted to work for.   

Did you need to have any previous knowledge or skills in the field before applying?   

No, not at all! 

What was your experience of the scheme like?   

Amazing, especially the fact that we got to meet with the head of sustainability and deliver the presentation to them. We also had the chance to visit their site and get a tour of the manufacturing process of spacecraft: something truly fascinating that I will never forget. It was incredible to see how far humans can go in terms of space technology. 

What was your main takeaway from the scheme?   

The main takeaway for my project was how to deliver an effective and professional presentation - a skill that is highly needed in different industries.

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

Given the pressured timeline and broad topic our team was given, we didn’t know who should do what. So, after communicating effectively with one-another, we allocated our duties based on each team member’s strengths. It is also really important to ask effective questions from the client. 

What skills have you learned? How do you think the scheme has helped you going forward?    

Business presentation, research, team working skills and meeting stakeholder needs under time pressure. 

What were the advantages and disadvantages of taking part in the scheme?

I think there were no disadvantages,as long as you can manage your time with studies effectively. Advantages include gaining industry work experience in consulting.

What advice would you give to students who are interested in a similar role? E.g., how can our current students build a career in your sector; what are the starter roles?

Having a consultancy experience can really help you in shaping your career after graduation. I would highly recommend all students to participate in this programme and I am sure you won’t regret it!  

What would they say to a student who is unsure about taking part in the scheme?   

Definitely go for it. In the world of today, university is not just about studying. All the extra curriculur activities and experiences you build during university will add value to you!

Take part in the Student Consultancy Programme

The Career Lab Student Consultancy Programme is open to final year undergraduates and taught postgraduates.

Applications for the next programme, which takes place in the autumn term, will open at the start of September 2025.

Keep an eye on your student emails for when applications open, and learn more about the programme on the Student Hub.

Gain work experience with Career Lab

Career Lab is an award-winning programme open to all Sussex taught students. It is a series of opportunities designed to develop your skills, experience, connections and confidence throughoutyour time at Sussex. 

Opportunities include Online Global Summer Internships, UK Summer Internships, and the Student Consultancy Programme. 

Find out more about when programmes will be advertised and take place. 

Learn more about Career Lab and what you can take part in based on your year of study.