Erangi De Costa

I had an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering and wanted to continue my higher studies in a different area. I selected finance as I was working in an IT company that develops software for financial markets. The University of Edinburgh was flexible to include engineers in their program and was one of the universities with the highest rankings that allowed this. The year before I applied, I visited Scotland with my friend and was already in love with the country. All these reasons led me to select Edinburgh.

The wonderful friends I met during university, the warmth of Scottish people and the mesmerizing landscapes of Scotland made me realize how lucky I was compared to my other friends who were studying in London. I have many memorable experiences during my time as a student in Edinburgh ranging from learning dancing, discovering my passion for photography, making life-long friends around the world that I still visit to date and traveling solo to Europe for the first time in my life.

If I am to pick the most memorable experience, it would be the Christmas weekend. I got the opportunity spend time with a retired couple based in Pitlochry. They did not have TV and I spent the weekend learning to cook Scottish food, hiking up to waterfalls in between meals and reading by the fire place. Selecting Edinburgh as a place of study is by far one of the best decisions I took in life.

Your experiences since leaving the University

Not only am I the youngest product manager in a company of 500+ employees but also the only female to ever be appointed to the role of product manager during the 20+ year history of the company.

I am currently working as a Product Manager for Market Surveillance Systems at LSEG Technology. This company is a part of London Stock Exchange Group based in Sri Lanka. Before my masters degree I had worked as a business analyst in the same company. Upon my return I applied for the position of product manager and was selected for the role among many applicants – some had more work experience than me. The knowledge I got from my masters degree definitely improved my confidence in applying for this job post. According to the company structure, it normally takes a longer time for a business analyst to become a product manager so I can say without a doubt that the University of Edinburgh helped fast track my career growth. Not only am I the youngest product manager in a company of 500+ employees but also the only female to ever be appointed to the role of product manager during the 20+ year history of the company.