Rishi Joy
MA (Hons) Accounting and Finance, 2016
MSc Finance, 2017
What made you choose to study at Heriot-Watt?
At one of the educational fairs, I remember meeting Heriot-Watt representatives and having a chat about the various business school programs, they stressed about the curriculum being both relevant to real world and aligned to research. So, for me the selection criteria were top notch faculty and well-designed programs.
Why were you thinking about an MA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance in particular?
While starting out after school I did not have much clarity and purpose on what I wanted to do. At school I did science subjects but realised I did not have an interest to pursue a career in science related fields. My dad, an accountant himself, suggested I try accounting and finance and venture into the corporate world.
How would you summarise your time studying at Heriot-Watt University?
My days at the university was very fulfilling intellectually. While learning, I surprisingly found a new passion, teaching. I remember teaching a lot of my friends after classes and right before exams, I enjoyed teaching and whilst doing so was learning deep. This is when I realised, I would want to be an educator. After my honours year, I continued at Heriot-Watt to pursue my MSc in Finance.
What's your favourite or most memorable memory of your time as a Heriot-Watt student?
We had some absolutely brilliant professors who were very inspirational in class. I remember looking up to them during lectures and thinking this is what I want to do some day – inspire to aspire. I must say my days at the university slowly shaped me as a person and helped me find my purpose.
Please provide a brief summary of your career.
During my master's study, I was also preparing for the US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams. So, a month after graduation I had passed the CMA exams too. I was keen on taking up some teaching role at universities however things did not quite go as planned. I ended up working at a MNC for five months, but I kept a look out for university job openings suitable for freshers. Thanks to my stars, University of Stirling was setting up their UAE campus and I got a role as a tutor. I took up the job and got trained in teaching and delivering modules accounting and finance modules at the undergraduate level. I also attained the associate fellow of UK higher education academy. During my two years at Stirling, I learnt and evolved as an educator, and I owe all the credits my students and fellow colleagues.
Last year I received a fully funded four-year MRes-PhD scholarship from University of Exeter. So, last September I joined Exeter to pursue my studies. I am almost done with the MRes year and looking forward to writing my MRes dissertation this summer.
How has your Heriot-Watt University education contributed to your success?
Heriot-Watt slowly transformed me from an 18-year-old girl without a clear vision to an individual with a purpose. Heriot-Watt played a key role in shaping me to be the individual I am today.
What would you like to achieve in your current role?
I would want my research journey at Exeter to be a transformative learning process, learning and growing both intellectually and emotionally as a human. I hope to successfully complete my PhD and continue at academia being an educator. I hope to learn and contribute to the academic world.
What advice would you give to your past self when you were a student?
Indulge and spend more time pursuing hobbies and other activities. It is very important for a person to have interests in other fields to help in shaping and developing as a more rounded person.
What advice do you have for current students?
Education is a journey and should not be viewed as a process that will finally grant you a degree and a job. Through education you are not only attaining knowledge and skills related to your field of study, but if approached with right spirits you unlock new potentials, discover a part of yourself and you're your purpose.
What is your lasting impression of Heriot-Watt University?
A university that inspires to aspire while nurturing the future hopes of the world!
What are your aspirations for the future?
I hope to be a good educator – both learning from and teaching some great minds and contributing to research. I also hope sometime long into the future to work with the educational policy and landscape in my country, India.
Can you tell us a little about your own background away from work, family, other interests etc.
I love reading and journaling. I also sometime take to doodling and colouring to help calm my mind and find peace, I guess I inherited the liking to colours and pencil strokes from my mom and grandma. Also, I am a colombophile. I was a proud mamma of two adorable king pigeons Barney and Hershey, whom I had to unfortunately give up before moving to Exeter.