How ANC prepared me for the corporate world

Fairway Holdings (Pvt) Limited

It was in summer 2014 Mahima joined ANC straight out of school: he completed his A levels in the Commerce stream at Lyceum International School and joined ANC to follow the Bachelor’s in Business Administration degree awarded by the Northwood University, the USA. Regardless of the opportunity to secure a direct placement in a US university, for he had got through his A levels with flying colors, Mahima was enticed into ANC’s US degree completion program. He consistently maintained a high standard of academic excellence throughout his career at ANC, bagging “High Achiever’s Award” twice before he graduated with Cum Laude honors this year. Soon after his graduation, Fairway Holdings (Pvt) Limited, one of the prominent market leaders in real estate and property development in Sri Lanka, hired him as the executive-corporate communications. Mahima is grateful to ANC for “preparing (him) for the corporate world.”

Given below are some excerpts from the interview with Mahima:

Q: Why did you want to complete your degree in Sri Lanka? ANC’s US Transfer Program is also popular among students.

A: I never regret my decision to complete my degree in Sri Lanka. ANC gave me the opportunity to follow a US degree offered by the Northwood University here in Sri Lanka. Northwood University is ranked among the top 10 business universities nationally in the US and known for its focus on entrepreneurial skills. Also, Northwood is offering their complete American university degree programs at ANC Education without any localization, so students get the full benefit of a real American university environment.

ANC students also stand the great opportunity of earning a dual major from Northwood University. It’s one of a kind experience to earn a dual major within three years: time is precious and the job market is very competitive-a concentration in secondary area makes us more appealing to a prospective employer: mine was a Business Management major with a concentration in Marketing.

It was always a learner-centered environment which encourages participation, independent thinking, and self-expression. In addition to full-time lecturers, industry experts are also drawn in to share their experience to keep students abreast of current trends and advancements in the corporate sector.

What’s more, I could save nearly 70% of the cost of following the same degree in the USA.

Q: Can you describe how ANC helped you land a career?

A: 60% of our business courses focused on real-world skills that gave us a distinct advantage in the job market. Every week we had to do presentations and complete reports in which we analyzed businesses based on case studies. This exposure has helped me perform well at work today.

ANC’s Guaranteed Paid Student Internship (GPSI) program too has been a stepping stone for many students to gain a clear edge in the competition for employment. In addition to gaining hands-on experience and exposure to real-world problems and issues that perhaps are not found in textbooks, GPSI program helps students cultivate adaptability and creativity in a dynamic world, refine their skills, strengthen their resumes, make a career network for themselves, which would come in handy in future, and evaluate specific companies or specific careers prior to committing to fulltime employment.

Above all, immediately after graduation, I could secure a full-time employment at Fairway Holdings, a market leader in real estate and multifaceted business, offering a range of services, on the recommendation of Mr Chathura Liyanage, the Academic Head of Northwood degree programs at ANC.

Q: Apart from Academics, what are the opportunities for ANC students to develop their employability skills?

A: ANC is not only about higher education. We were encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities as well. Student activities at ANC comprise of several committees and clubs for students to participate in numerous recreational activities, to contribute to community development and to improve our leadership and team working skills. Further, social and cultural activities are organized to develop socio-cultural harmony. I was an active member of the Business Club and Performing Arts Club, but I was motivated right throughout to focus on my academics as well.

ANC wishes him continued success! For more information, please contact 0777449955, visit us at www.ancedu. com| No.308 – 310, R. A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03, or follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ ancedu/