Brighton graduate career stories
Find out how some University of Brighton graduates started their careers, and follow how came to get the jobs that they are in today.
Latest stories
With our recent additions we have decided to turn the spotlight on graduate internships. We hear from three University of Brighton graduates who have benefitted from the experience gained through our paid internships scheme.
Alexandra Klyuchnikova
Masters in Public Administration
Marketing and Social Enterprise Development Intern
Whitehawk Inn
After the glamour of my Masters in Public Administration (MPA) graduation ceremony, like many other grads, I faced the severe reality of job hunting which lasted for several months.
Luckily I signed for the careers graduate internships mailing list while still a student. This is from where I found out about the internship with Whitehawk Inn. I saw it as an opportunity to gain an excellent understanding of a small community-based organisation, develop insights into the sector and networks within it.
I was quick to draft a successful application, as I was in the groove with this after around 70 previous unsuccessful trials. The internship fitted perfectly to my goals and academic background.
As the intern I was looking at more creative ways of taking forward the development and marketing of the Whitehawk Inn facilities which are currently vacant or underused, in order to increase income for the organisation. I performed a comparative market analysis of the room hire, offering reasonable adjustments on policies and setting up new business procedures for the organisation.
This experience was immensely valuable in terms of my professional growth and helped me get my current post at the University of Brighton Development and Alumni Office. In addition I was able to grow my network of contacts within the industry as well as outside of it. I currently stay in touch with the Whitehawk Inn and plan to volunteer for them in the future.
David Scott
BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design
Designer (internship)
Haberdashery London
I studied BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design at the University of Brighton, and began an internship with product and lighting design agency Haberdashery London in 2010. With the help of the University of Brighton internship, I was able to undertake a six week placement with Haberdashery design studio in London. Subsequently I was asked to carry on as a freelance designer, and at the start of 2012 that turned into full-time employment.
Tara Wyllie
MA Film Production
Video Project Coordinator (internship)
University of Brighton Research Films Project
I pursued the role as video project coordinator on the graduate internship scheme, because I wanted to put to use the skills I had gained through my studies, and the practical knowledge of filmmaking I had gained through my work within the industry.
The role has been a challenge to say the least, but each obstacle has equipped me with a new set of skills which I know will be of great use in helping me achieve my ambitions of setting up my own business in the future. With every project has emerged a different obstacle which my mentor has allowed me to tackle enthusiastically whilst achieving successful results.
The role has enabled me to gain further opportunities within the university which I have been able to add to my portfolio of work as a freelance filmmaker. I’m really looking forward to the next couple of months, and hope they will be as challenging and inspiring as the last.
Career stories A-Z by course
Accounting and Finance
Applied Social Science
- Daren - PhD Applied Social Science (2006)
Business Administration
- Hattie - BA Business Administration (2011)
Business Information Systems
- Jo - BA (Hons) Business Information Systems (2007)
Business Studies
- Steve - BA (Hons) Business Studies with Marketing (2011)
Civil Engineering
- Andy - Civil Engineering (1996)
- Richard - MEng Civil Engineering (1990)
- Usoa - MEng Civil Engineering
Computer Science
- Michael - BSc (Hons) Computer Science (1994)
Cultural and Historical Studies
- Melinda - BA Cultural and Historical Studies (2006)
Education
- Claire - BEd (Hons) Education (1996)
Graphic Design / Illustration
- David - Illustration/Graphic Design (1988)
Hospitality and Event Management
- Jodi - BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management (1996)
Information Studies
- Melinda - MA Information Studies (2010)
- Rachel - MA Information Studies (2010)
- Abigail - MA Information Studies (2006)
Languages and Linguistics
Law
- Dan - BA (Hons) Law with Accountancy (2005)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Chris - PhD Computing, Mathematical and Information Sciences (2006)
- Abbe - BSc (Hons) (1995)
- Richard - BSc Modular Science - Maths & Statistics (1995)
Mechanical Engineering
- Daniel - MEng Mechanical Engineering (2012)
Media Studies
- Melissa - BA (Hons) Information and Media Studies (2003)
Physiotherapy
- Margaret - MSc Physiotherapy (2000)
Product Design and Craft
Sports Science
- Matt - BSc (Hons) & Physical Education PGCE (2000)
Visual Culture
- Susannah - BA (Hons) (1998)