Abhishek's story
My time at Sussex has helped me to develop a solid, robust idea that can be pitched to funders and investors.” Abhishek Saini
Governance, Development and Public Policy MA
“My background is in data analysis, and after studying for a Masters in Economics back in 2014, I entered the corporate world. I often worked with government ministries, so decided to learn more about the impact of public policy by pursuing further study.
As a first-generation scholar, coming to Sussex felt like a wish fulfilled. I applied to the as it’s the very best in the field, but I also felt drawn to the wider University – along with its inclusive community, Sussex offers so many opportunities to support your career growth.
From my very first term, I’ve been involved in entrepreneurship activities like the , where you can bring a concept at any stage in the development process and figure out how to evolve it further. Along with improving my skills in product analysis, consumer analysis and financial planning, the Lab has helped me to develop a clearer vision for where the Lending Hands Foundation might go.
Over the years, my non-profit has connected me to thousands of volunteers who are generating lasting change back home in India. I’ve always wondered how digital innovation might help us to better recognise and reward their achievements, and my time at Sussex has helped me to develop a solid, robust idea that can be pitched to funders and investors. My working concept, VolCard, is a single platform that can bring together digital and data technologies to showcase voluntary experience and the impact of social good.
The Careers and Entrepreneurship Team gave me the feedback and recognition I needed to build my confidence and apply to competitions like the , where I was ranked as a top finalist and invited to join the University’s programme. The Accelerator was crucial in helping me to improve my pitching skills: I learned how to make my pitch decks more creative, and to speak with greater clarity. Each week, I could see that I was making progress, and gradually felt ready to pitch for an , where I was awarded funding of £4,000 to take VolCard to the next level.
Sussex has also enabled me to engage with voluntary work myself and grow my understanding of the non-profit space. I’ve trained as a Domestic Abuse Student Community Ambassador for , supported Brighton festivals like Burning the Clocks, and even participated in the Student Elections. Receiving a Gold in recognition of these experiences is a testament to my time as a student and everything I’ve gained here.
After I graduate, I plan to go back to India and grow the Foundation, investing the skills and funding I’ve received at Sussex to develop scalable solutions for a more sustainable society. Many studies have demonstrated how voluntary work can enrich your own life as well as the lives of those around you, so I’d like to champion initiatives like VolCard to make volunteering more accessible and inclusive for everyone.”