In pursuing a finance career, Sanjay Vasu found himself becoming something of a linguist. His quest for growth took him from Chennai to Mannheim in Germany to gain a new skillset and also saw him learning German as well as trying his hand at Italian.Navigating the unfamiliar, new languages, food, skills and friendships may feel overwhelming but Sanjay advises others to “trust the process” – things do, he says, fall into place in time.His steadfast dedication to his professional development has paid off. Today he’s a Senior Financial Accountant at Osapiens – the first SaaS Unicorn in Mannheim.He shares his career story here.What were your early career ambitions and experiences?I grew up in Chennai and spent all my time in the vibrant and cultural city from elementary school.
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I learned to play violin (Indian classical style), and took some time to figure out where my interests lie.I always had an inherent interest in Economics, how money works, etc. I did my Bachelor’s in Commerce and Finance, and became a qualified Indian Chartered Accountant. I began my career with EY in the Assurance Division and then moved to Corporate Finance roles.What was the reason you decided to go to apply for an MBA?Like most people, I felt the need to pivot my career, not in a completely different direction but in a certain tangent. I have always upskilled myself in the past. This time, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, outside my home and country.While finance has always been close to my heart, I felt an MBA would help me to explore different aspects of business and elevate my skills.What was it about your school and programme in particular that encouraged you to enroll?I was clear about choosing Europe and specifically Germany, after considering post-qualification opportunities, the return on investment, etc. Mannheim had the number one school in business and finance and made my choice easier.The range of subjects, the kinds of projects, and the alumni network are truly enriching for students.What was it like moving to Germany? Were there any shocks or surprises? What helped you find your feet?A major part of my move was also to explore outside my comfort zone, and I knew it would come with challenges. From the language, culture, and food, everything was new. It was overwhelming at the beginning, but I had wonderful friends at the school with whom I could unlearn and learn things.I loved the process of learning the language. The initial shyness to speak withered over time. I took the time to understand the culture and how things worked, and I still am learning something new each day. That is part of the process and something that everyone who moves to a new country will and must experience.I also found my way to pursue my passion for running and explore the nature here.What was the best thing you gained from your studies?The course had a lot to offer apart from technical studies. I feel I have gained and improved a lot of soft skills, broken barriers I never knew I could break, and improved my self-confidence. Of course, I have also made an invaluable network of friends.An exchange study (an intensive one-week program) at SDA Bocconi, Milan’s top business school, was exciting. We learned the different aspects of digital innovation, worked on presenting business strategies for real life cases, and enjoyed the city of Milan, Pizzas, and Gelato.What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in your studies, and how did you overcome them?Managing studies, personal tasks, the language, learning, job search, etc., were sometimes challenging. There are days when I’ve felt 24 hours are not sufficient, days where you just don’t feel the motivation to do anything. But what kept me driven was my perseverance.Sometimes you’ve got to just trust the process and things do fall in place. Of course, I had great support from the University, my friends and family.Did your study experience change your professional ambitions?I feel it gave me more and more affirmations. My experience, coupled with my studies, really helped me figure out what I wanted from my career. I also got a fair idea about the instabilities in the job market and started to spend time navigating its challenges.The school’s career center helped me get good clarity on the kind of roles I can look for, provided access to the alumni network, and gave me realistic and practical guidance on navigating the job market in Germany.How has your career progressed since graduating?I landed a job that has given me a good platform to enhance my knowledge, and carve the path to achieve my career aspirations. I look forward to unlocking all that I wish to for my career hereon.The entire set up is new – in terms of people, the language, culture, working-style, etc. I learn something new every day and that has to be my favorite thing by far.What advice would you give to others who are considering studying in Germany?Starting a new professional journey in a new country can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. My advice would be to focus on one’s individual experience and ambitions, without comparing it to others. That way, the victory feels more personal, fruitful and enriching.I would also recommend learning the language (at least till the intermediate level) before starting school here.