Vivekanand PGDM Alumni Review – MS.Ruby Mamtora’s Path to Assistant Vice President at Barclays

Ms. Ruby Mamtora (PGDM – Banking & Finance, Batch 2016–18) has built an impressive career in the banking sector and today proudly serves as an Assistant Vice President at Barclays. From the very beginning, she was curious, hardworking, and eager to learn. The experiences she gained during her PGDM at Vivekanand whether in classroom discussions, live projects, or internships helped her understand the real-world challenges of corporate banking. 

Straight from Ruby herself, here’s her journey, the lessons she learned, and her advice for students who want to succeed in the world of banking and finance.

Q1: Can you walk us through your journey from being a PGDM student at Vivekanand to becoming an Assistant Vice President at Barclays?
Honestly, my journey has been about learning at every step of the way.  The PGDM at Vivekanand gave me a strong base through academics, projects, and internships. After finishing the program, I started in corporate banking, working in Business Planning & Analysis. Over time, I focused on delivering results, learning new skills, and getting guidance from mentors. Each role taught me something new. Whether it was financial analysis or handling stakeholders, all these experiences slowly added up to help me reach where I am today as AVP at Barclays.. 

Q2: How do you think the banking and financial services sector is evolving, and what skills do young professionals need to succeed in it?
The banking world is changing fast, especially with technology and data playing a bigger role every day. Apart from the usual finance skills like credit assessment or financial analysis, it’s really important to be comfortable with tech and tools like Excel or Power BI. On top of that, skills like good communication, teamwork, and problem-solving matter a lot because in banking, you’re always working with different teams and people.

Q3: Were there any specific experiences at Vivekanand, such as projects, internships, or mentorship, that gave you an edge in your professional journey?
Absolutely. Live projects, internships, and mentorship opportunities at Vivekanand provided a strong head start. Group projects and case studies strengthened my teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills. These experiences proved invaluable when transitioning into the corporate world, helping me think critically, collaborate effectively, and communicate confidently.

Q4: What advice would you share with Vivekanand students who want to build a career in the BFSI domain?
Stay curious and keep learning. Your first job often sets the trajectory for your career, so choose a field you’re genuinely passionate about. Balance technical expertise with soft skills as they are both equally important for long-term success. And above everything else, carry your confidence with you; believing in your abilities is one of the most valuable qualities in the corporate world.