Student Success: Hussain Pirbhai
Interview with Hussain Pirbhai
Written by: Melanie Shires | Director of Marketing
Hussain Pirbhai, a graduate from University of Texas, Dallas (UTD) reflects on his time at Education at Work (EAW) and shares how the experience has prepared him for the job he currently holds at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company and the double master’s degrees he is in pursuit of now in Information Technology Management.
Hussain Pirbhai, who graduated in Spring of 2023 from the University of Texas, Dallas (UTD), with a degree in Information Technology and Systems, specializing in IT Sales Engineering, spoke with me about his time at EAW and how the experience helped him get to where he is today.
Hussain began working at EAW for Fidelity Investments during his last semester of college through the middle of the summer after he graduated. As he reflects on his time at EAW, Hussain is most grateful for the friendships made and the invaluable knowledge gained about financial planning, investments, and overall business acumen that he will be able to take with him and apply through the rest of his life. Not to mention, all while earning enough money to afford college and graduate debt-free.
What position did you hold while working at EAW?
Hussain: I worked for Fidelity Investments as a non qual differed compensation intern – assisting the service delivery managers on the non-qual team on projects they needed help with through the quarter, such as creating reports, analysis, and cross-checking data.
What would you say are the key things you learned or key takeaways being a part of EAW working with Fidelity?
Hussain: Developing interpersonal skills, specifically communication skills. I would be in meetings with service delivery managers, which was extremely insightful. Being able to witness what was being discussed from a high-level strategic perspective.
Becoming accustomed to working for a large firm like Fidelity and being able to communicate with people at different levels within a company.
Improving my Excel skills – advanced concepts in Excel from creating advanced reports to sorting data and running macros. I also became familiar with Fidelity’s own proprietary software for analytics. This experience provided insight into what large companies use for gathering data and how to use it without being intimidated. Now I feel confident that no matter what company I work for in the future, I will be able to quickly adapt and learn their systems, processes, and software.
What three things did you like about working at EAW as a full-time student?
Hussain: The first was flexibility. It was absolutely amazing that EAW allowed me the opportunity to create my own schedule and work based off my own class schedule as a full-time student. This was my last semester, which was very hectic, and I had to also add on another class, but the flexibility I was provided to change my work schedule a couple of times to accommodate my changing class schedule was something I greatly appreciated. It allowed me to focus on my academics, while also earning an income working. It provided me with that multi-tasking ability.
The second was working in a hybrid environment where I had the opportunity to either go into the office, work from home, or do both depending on my class schedule. My managers were very supportive in allowing me to come into the office for a shift prior to my classes, then stop to attend class and finish up my shift at home. I also loved the Fidelity campus, it was so beautiful, so I didn’t mind going into the office for my shifts. In fact, there were times I would just go to the office and get a study room to do my schoolwork or study.
The third was the relationship that built with my EAW managers and co-workers. Everyone was so helpful, warm, and kind to me and my brother (who also worked at EAW). I really enjoyed working with them and made many friends.
What would tell students who are looking for employment to help afford college and stay in school about EAW?
Hussain: What I would tell students about EAW is it is a wonderful program if you want to make good money for part-time work and real-world experience at a major corporation. Regardless of what your major or degree is in, this opportunity is a great alternative if you find it hard to get an internship in your field of study which is many times hard to get. EAW allows you the opportunity to work with a fortune 500 company and have resume-worthy experience to show after graduation, allowing a great start to your career. I told all my friends and other students I know about working with EAW. You are provided a flexible work schedule that accommodates your classes, and for students who want to work for the summer and can’t get an internship, you have the chance to earn wages and tuition assistance along with skills and experience to put on your resume that would be applicable anywhere. This is a much better option than working a summer job at Walmart, Target, or Whole Foods.
Now that you have graduated, what are your plans moving forward?
Hussain: I have a position at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) as part of their inside sales team working in pre-sales and marketing. HP recently acquired a new cybersecurity/cloud platform, and my role is on a new task force, and it’s been amazing. It’s like I’m working for a startup while at a large company. Although I am on the sales side of things, my IT background is really helping with the job as I have been able to assist my co-workers and peers when they get stuck on topics related to technology.
I am also getting a MS/MBA doing a double major, double masters, at University of Texas, Dallas (UTD) in Information Technology Management.
“I cannot thank EAW and all the people there who were supportive and kind for the amazing opportunity and experience I gained”, Hussain concludes. “ Being on campus at Fidelity working onsite in that environment really helped me grow as an individual. Being hands on in an environment with successful people actively trying to grow in their careers made me want to improve and grow in mine as well. This type of environment breeds inspiration for self-development both personally and professionally and I am truly grateful.”
Founded in 2012, Education at Work (EAW) is a national work-based learning nonprofit that helps students graduate with less debt and more skills, connections, and confidence by connecting them with flexible, paid employment opportunities. We help high-achieving college students gain the career-ready skills and financial stability needed to succeed after graduation. Our campus-based “learn and earn” model generates career outcomes for students, provides employers with a skilled workforce to address early talent needs, and helps colleges boost affordability while improving student success. We are proud that success stories like Hussain’s are evidence our work-based learning (WBL) model is working. If you are a student interested in applying for a position at EAW, have questions, or want more information, please contact us.
