Karina Kanayeva

MSc Marketing and Business Management, 2009

After graduation I have worked as an Administrative Assistant for the University of Bedfordshire Business School. In March 2012 I went back to Kazakhstan and worked as a Senior Manager in Eurasian Bank JSC. Within less than a year I have been promoted to be the Head of the Claims Handling Unit in the same company.

Some of my duties include improving service quality, diminishing risks, suggesting enhancements that will improve efficiency in Consumer Clients area and Customer Service Quality, handling / updating Procedures and Manuals in the department, and managing a team of people.

During my studies at Bedfordshire the most challenging thing was breaking the language barriers and adapting to a different culture. At the University I became an active team player and developed my communication skills through many presentations that helped me build confidence. In addition to that, I've become more creative, learned to work under pressure and manage my time effectively.

UoB is in a convenient location, has good and supportive staff and new modern facilities.

Kashif A. Mayo

MSc International Business and Management, 2008

After comparison with other modern universities, I joined and commenced MSc International Business and Management course at UoB in February 2007 and completed it with commendation. The main features that attracted me to the programme were the diverse combination of units offered, particularly business communications, digital business management and business data analysis.

I am working as a Senior Area Manager in the World's 4^th largest and Europe's top oil marketing company "Total", French origin. Every day we deploy business concepts taught in my MSc degree, such as sustainable competitive advantage, market feedback, improved market orientation and efficient use of available information systems to give best possible results for the corporate success.

I believe the real unique edge of the degree was that it pushed my self-esteem and personal development, especially in terms of effective communications and task prioritising and management. UoB degree and UK living exposure is lasting for me, and has equipped me to face and positively respond to current business market dynamics in professional as well in personal capacity. Therefore, I would strongly recommend this course to all those who wants to stay versatile and ready to face challenges in different roles and in diverse economic environments and believes in "Think globally, act locally" proposition.

Asta Lukosiute

BA (Hons) Accounting, 2008

I am a Commercial Finance Manager at The Regard Partnership. My responsibilities include monthly financial reports, budgeting and forecasting.

After my graduation with the help of recruitment agent I got a job at LIDL, German supermarket chain, as a Finance Controlling Assistant. I worked there for a year, and then decided to go travelling. I went to India to acquire a yoga teacher qualification. After coming back to the UK, I had an opportunity to go to China and work at a UK business start-up, but decided to stay in Britain. I enrolled to London School of Economics for the Masters degree, but had to keep a full-time job, so I postponed the studies and went to work as a Management Accountant at Wolters Kluver company, Kingston branch. From there I moved to The Regard Partnership. I also joined CIMA and am currently studying for a professional qualification, as well as teaching yoga on weekends.

What I've learned in my degree really helped me with understanding of financial reports and economic markets. For me the tutors play a very important role in delivering my education and I believe that at Bedfordshire they are really qualified. I enjoyed studying in the international environment – I made a lot of friends from different countries and I learned to work with people from different backgrounds.

My future plan is to become a Chartered Management Accountant, get more experience in this field and become a self-employed Management Accountant.

I would advice students first to find out what they really want, then consider opportunities and finally take appropriate actions to achieve their goals.

Daniel Donovan

BA (Hons) Public Relations, 2008

After nearly two and a half years working for the police, I've been offered a job at Corel as their Public Relations Specialist. Corel is one of the world's leading producers of graphics and productivity software, so the change in industries has been a steep learning curve. My main area of responsibility is to manage the press office function for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). This covers everything from writing and distributing news releases, media relations and enquiries, arranging press tours and product reviews, monitoring media coverage and social networking, right through to devising PR plans and strategy, and reporting to and advising the senior management team.

One of the most challenging aspects of my role is thinking globally. Headquartered in Canada, with major offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Taiwan, China, Japan and with users in over 75 countries, the scope and potential for PR activities is huge. Each area has its own difficulties and the way PR is deployed can vary enormously between territories.

At the police, almost everything was considered news and coverage was pretty much guaranteed. Conversely, at Corel and in the private sector, we have to try a lot harder to get coverage, proactively sending press releases to journalists, following up with calls, and arranging lunches for example.

It's a busy, fast-paced environment with a lot of activities to manage. However, I'm really enjoying myself and I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Mihaela Bucur

MSc Marketing Communications, 2011

The MSc Marketing Communications course offered me an integrated view on Marketing. It included taught units but also a wide array of team projects that would be both creative and insightful.

What is more, the course was very concentrated and I believed that in just one year it would help me achieve the knowledge level that I needed in order to become a high calibre professional. My colleagues and friends also believed it was the most appealing in terms of value, location, time and the variety of disciplines.

I live in North-West London and am working as a Marketing Executive for a company that makes software for the maritime industry. I never imagined I will work in this sector but it is very exciting.

I am sure that my MSc in Marketing Communications has been a crucial factor in my career. During the summer time I worked as a Marketing Assistant and my employer told me that my studies was the factor that differentiated me from other candidates. From that point, everything linked together and with that experience I was able to become an Executive, in less than a year.

The course was an invaluable experience in terms of working in a team, with people with completely different personalities, skills and views. One crucial skill learnt was the ability to work on briefs, to research and understand not only the consumer but the wishes and needs of the client as well.

After so many presentations in front of my colleagues and tutors, I had no problems in facing recruiters or future employers. Not only did this course and my tutors teach me the insights of Marketing Communications, but they also taught me invaluable life lessons.

Lukas Kendera

BA (Hons) Travel and Tourism, MSc International Business and Management, 2010

I currently work for Rockwell Collins as a UK Air Routing Representative. My role involves assisting with trouble-free departures and arrivals of corporate and private jets into/out of the UK, acting as a point of contact to flight crews flying into/out of the UK and liaising with airport ground staff and other service providers on any issues or customer requirements.

My studies at UoB provided me with background knowledge to airport operations and the current business environment. I learned that discipline and work ethics are very important and that sometimes even the smallest things can make a big difference.