Harmit Bansi, "Having a degree in the field is really important"
After starting in negotiation and letting, Harmit is now the Sales and Letting Manager at Hunters in Hounslow. “I’ve been able to move up quite quickly thanks to the experience and understanding I gained from my time at LSBU,” he says.
Skills and knowledge
“My time studying BSc (Hons) Property Management (Building Surveying) at LSBU prepared me for a lot of my day-to-day responsibilities,” says Harmit. “Whether it’s sales, lettings, valuations, listings, floorplans, photoshoots or open days, the skills and knowledge I gained on my degree has served me well – as has the confidence I gained from my degree, which comes in handy when you spend most of your day talking to people.”
Big challenges
In fact, Harmit is so busy that he cites managing his time effectively as his biggest challenge. The proximity of his branch to Heathrow means he is often busy dealing with IT contractors on short-term contracts needing places to stay at short notice and, with over 75 other agencies operating in the same area, Harmit can’t afford to become complacent.
National recognition
“One of the benefits of working for a business like Hunters is the fact that we are a national agency,” he says. “As a result, we have national recognition and the central support of an advertising team.”
In such a competitive area, Harmit really believes that his degree helps him to stand out from others in his industry. “Having a degree in the field is really important, and I would definitely advise anyone thinking of moving into the industry to do the same as I did,” he says. “The degree at LSBU is even better because it is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a group I am still a member of today."
Clients who are spending a lot of money want to know that the person they are dealing with have knowledge, experience and expertise, and my RICS membership – made possible as a result of my degree – really helps me get that across.
Harmit Bansi
Still expanding
When it comes to the future, Harmit is optimistic about his chances to take his career at Hunters even further. “It’s a good company to work for, and they are still expanding,” he says. “I really think that I can fulfill my ambitions as part of a company that has big plans for the future that closely mirror my own.”
Read more about studying BSc (Hons) Property Management (Building Surveying).