In 2012 Shahzad relocated from Pakistan to Dubai when he landed a job in the UAE as a middle office analyst in Nestle’s Regional Treasury Centre.
Five years on and the company has moved him to Switzerland (no surprise given it’s the world capital of chocolate) and a role in commodities.
So what’s it like relocating to another country?
‘There are many challenges and benefits to relocation,’ says Shahzad. ‘It can be a fresh start to build your professional image again. International experience adds credibility to your career – it’s an opportunity to acquire advance management skills, and it helps expand your professional network, as well as exposing you to new opportunities and visions. It also gets you out of your comfort zone, which I think is healthy.’
As with most things, there are challenges too, including the formalities of leaving your previous role on a high note, organising work visas, convincing a company to hire you when there may be quality local candidates, and then living up to expectations if you are hired. And then there are the cultural shocks, in addition to missing family and friends.
Yet Shahzad believes it’s worth it.
‘Life doesn’t get better by chance; rather it gets better by change. So to make a change in life, pick a direction and start moving that way. And accept all the good and bad things that you encounter along the way.’
A little help from your friends
Shahzad cites ACCA as being integral to his progression, especially in that it is recognised globally by companies small and large.
‘The support from ACCA and my professional network has been undeniably great. ACCA supported me with its recognition, while my professional network supported me through their individual knowledge sharing about the industry.’
