On the Road to Success
With Aston degrees under their belts, our graduates tell us how their experience at Aston helped them to get on their chosen career path and progress on the road to success.
Steve Clarke (1990 BSc Computing Science)
Job Title - Systems and Operations Director
Company – Talk Talk
How has your Aston degree helped you to get to where you are today?
My graduate trainee job with Bass Taverns immediately after graduating was directly related to my degree; without the degree I wouldn't have got that job and that job was responsible for giving me the thorough grounding that has enabled me to get where I am today. Once I had my first job, it wasn't so much the content of my degree that helped it was more the capabilities I'd developed, for instance problem-solving and analytical techniques.
What is your top tip for graduating students on how to advance up the career ladder?
Take control and plan your career, don't let it drift. Work out how you think you can get to where you want to be and then execute it step by step, but at the same time remember that a career can take 40+ years. Whilst achieving your goals don't tread on other people to get there, instead "pay it forward" and always be prepared to learn and re-plan according to that learning.
What is your best memory of Aston?
I have a few, some unprintable, but sitting on the lawn with friends outside the Guild drinking lots of Bass from the Sacks of Potatoes after finishing my finals and knowing I had a position to go to at Bass Taverns was a fine one. Doing the musical direction of the musical Salad Days, and seeing a whole load of people who'd never sung four-part harmony before sing it flawlessly was another. Getting an A in my Graphics course is a more politically correct high point!
Tom Barnett (2002 BSc Marketing)
Job Title - Senior Trading Manager
Company – TUI Travel
How has your Aston degree helped you to get to where you are today?
The biggest area my Aston degree helped me with was confidence. More specifically, completing a placement year as part of my degree really gave me the self belief to realise my long term aspirations.
In this current climate, I would encourage any ex-Aston student to ask themselves what opportunities they can realise to provide fantastic work experience for Aston students. Like myself, I’m sure anybody who completed a placement can really appreciate just how beneficial placements can be, as well as show the passion required to ensure Aston students receive first class placements during their degrees. I am a strong believer in the mutual benefits that a placement programme delivers to both students and businesses. I was therefore delighted to be able to launch a placement scheme at TUI Travel where we recruited 11 students to join our Commercial division in July 2008. On a personal level, it is really satisfying to be helping Aston students take the first steps in their careers. Despite only being in the second year of the scheme, we have already received external recognition for the progress we have made. Earlier this year, we were a finalist in the 2008-09 NCWE (National Council for Work Experience). Currently, we are also recognised as having the second best placement scheme in the country as rated by students (www.ratemyplacement.co.uk).
What is your top tip for graduating students on how to advance up the career ladder?
Without a doubt, I would say look to exploit every opportunity possible to learn something new – have the confidence to go out and source these yourself, they won’t fall on your lap.
What is your best memory of Aston?
Best memories are from all the great friends and colleagues that I met along the way.
Dr Jeremy Desai (1986 PhD Pharmacy)
Job Title - Executive Vice-President, Global Research, Development & Quality
Company - Apotex Inc., Toronto, Canada
How has your Aston PhD helped you to get to where you are today?
The broad-based scientific training I had when I studied for my PhD at Aston gave me a great solid foundation to work within research and development in the pharmaceutical industry. Following graduation, I worked in the UK until I was headhunted for this position in Canada. It wasn’t an easy decision to move abroad as I had my family to consider, but seven years on I’ve made the right decision!
What is your top tip for graduating students on how to advance up the career ladder?
I have two tips for graduates; firstly to engage in continuous learning, whether it be through formal qualifications or by taking informal courses. Don’t ever view your degree the “be all and end all”. It will certainly open doors, but you need to constantly push yourself to broaden your knowledge and understanding.
Secondly, have in your own mind a long-term goal that you would like to achieve and then set short term objectives to help you achieve this. By setting two to three year goals, you are setting a path to the end objectives.
What is your best memory of Aston?
I had a tremendous three years. I was fortunate to live on the top floor of Stafford Tower, a perk of being a post-graduate student! The May Ball still brings back fond memories.
Aston Graduate Gheetu Bharwaney is developing her own consultancy business in Ei (Emotional Intelligence).
In this issue of Apex she recounts the path to her success.