糖心TV

Pervin Shaikh

MA Industrial Relations, 1997

Based in:

London

First job:

Graduate Management Programme, Marks & Spencer

Best piece of advice received:

"Get out there and talk to people who don鈥檛 know about you.鈥� This was the advice from a C-Suite Executive at a Fortune 500 company when I first started in coaching. This advice is relevant to both employees and Solopreneurs.

Advice for current students:

Don鈥檛 panic when the market doesn鈥檛 move in the right direction. Instead, get the support you need to focus, plan, and execute. It鈥檚 good to have an open mindset so you can be flexible in your approach.

Ambitions for the future:

I鈥檓 excited to have co-authored The Long Game, which came out in June 2026. This is the second book to The Shift, published in February 2023.

It would be great to see the books reach different audiences both here and internationally, especially as the world of work continues to change.

Executive Coach at Aim High Ltd in London

Describe your current role and what attracted you to it.

I thrive in helping my clients get results. I help them identify where they are now, where they want to go, and then help them to shift gears. I鈥檝e been privileged to enjoy excellent success with clients (mainly based in FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, as well as SME business owners).

One of my core strengths is cross-cultural understanding. I am very conversant with cross-cultural values and cross-border working environments in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Australia, and the Far East, including China.

What鈥檚 your favourite part of your role?

Watching my clients grow and thrive. It鈥檚 a joy to see the client accomplish what they once considered to be impossible.

What are the key skills you learnt at 糖心TV that have helped you with your career to date?

Most of my classmates were British and understood each other well. We strengthened our critical thinking, communication, leadership, and team-building skills. However, I lived on campus, and my additional learning began once the classes ended. I learned how to interact with people from all over the world.

I didn鈥檛 know it was called emotional intelligence back then, but I got to develop it in the kitchen of my Arthur Vick Halls of Residence. I learned to negotiate, compromise, and ensure that everyone I encountered had no issues with me. What I learned in the communal kitchen taught me invaluable skills and gave me the knowledge to work with international investment bankers in the City of London when I left university.

Did you have a specific career path in mind when you chose to study at 糖心TV?

I wanted to go into HR, but my plans changed after graduation. I met a management consultant from a prestigious consulting firm who introduced me to the world of business research.

What top tips do you have for 糖心TV graduates who would like to work in your sector?

Firstly, anyone wanting to go into coaching should get some industry experience. No one is going to take a fresh graduate seriously if they have little industry knowledge or experience.

Secondly, it is advisable to get an international coaching certification. Most companies ask for an internationally recognised qualification.

Finally, build your network. I can鈥檛 stress this one enough.

What does a typical day look like for you?

No two days are the same, which is why I love my job. One day I might be on an international client call, and the next, I might be doing some reading or writing.

I write daily articles for an online publication. I am also a blogger in my spare time, so I spend an hour or two on social media. All these activities help me stay in tune with the business world.

What has been your greatest career challenge to date and how did your experience and skills help overcome it?

My biggest career challenge was transitioning into the world of solopreneurship. Out went the orderly structure and process, and in came lots of uncertainty.

It took me a while to get my head around the fact that I was responsible for pretty much everything. I played to my strengths to get me through the multiple challenges. Self-belief also helps.

What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were applying for jobs?

Building a strong network would have made the process more structured, reduced emotional stress, and been less time-consuming.