My Degree

I went for a PhD at the University of Glasgow because I had found a scholarship for a really interesting project, synthesising ceramic materials using microwaves. At that time I wasn't really clear about what direction I wanted my career to go; if I wanted to stay in Academia after my PhD or go into industry, but I have always been sure I wanted to work in Science, Engineering or Technology. The University of Glasgow is such a renowned establishment that I had the advantage of being exposed easily to good companies and employers, after graduation.

My Glasgow Experience

I moved to Glasgow without having visited the place before and I fell in love with it. The University Main Building is such a stunning place and I liked being in the heart of the West End, while still being able to easily walk to town. To move from being a student to a graduate of the University, I got involved with the community, finding time to work as a Tutor for the Student Disability Service and volunteered in the Oxfam bookshop on Byres Road. I also took part in a charity bike ride across Malawi and fundraised for Link Community Development.

I’d say to students to get involved in clubs and societies; join the gym because the facilities we have at the University of Glasgow are impressive and take full advantage of the Careers Service; they’ll be very useful to get you ready for the job market. I moved to Glasgow without knowing anyone and for the first couple of months I joined the International Student Society to meet people and explore the area. I have been then involved for a while with the University of Glasgow Japanese society, they organised a film festival and helped raising funds for the Tsunami in March 2011. If I would have to do it again, I’d definitely join the caving or mountaineering club to spend more time outdoors and up in the Highlands.

Life after Glasgow

I used my Science and Engineering background to get a job in Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). I am currently working in the Suspension System Tuning team in JLR engineering centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

The first thing I did towards my career was taking part at an event at University called “The Engineering Network for Women”, organised by JLR, where I won a trip to visit the engineering centre in Gaydon. Since I got accepted in their graduate scheme, I first worked in a dealership and it has been a couple of months since I've joined Chassis, getting involved with the design and development of air suspensions. I am extremely lucky to get into the Jaguar Land Rover Scottish Campus Team. As part of the team I have been back to Glasgow twice, to support the recruitment activities and be available for students to ask me questions about the Graduate Scheme application process and what is it like to work for Jaguar Land Rover.

My Degree

Originally I went to University to study Earth Sciences (Geology) but at the end of my second year I found myself stressed over the workload. I could have continued into third year but I made a decision to change my degree to Geography. This meant I had to rethink my future career path. I still wanted to work in the oil sector but now it would not be as a Geologist. The best thing about Geography is the diversity of subjects it encompasses. Unfortunately this is also a problem as you become a 'jack of all trades, master of none'. By this I mean unless you specifically want to be a Geography teacher, Town Planner or want to study more after your degree e.g. to become a Lawyer, then it can be difficult to find graduate work after you leave university.

The name Glasgow University holds some weight and my degree has gotten people's interest over the years but to be honest a degree alone is not enough anymore. I have learned what employers really want is experience and if you know someone in the business you want to get into, so much the better.

My Glasgow Experience

I loved the feeling of inclusion at Glasgow University. I made a lot of friends I still speak to today. I remember volunteering as a Freshers’ Week helper and filling hundreds of bags with goodies! Handing them out was much more fun. My career path has taken many turns. It is difficult for me to say now how my choices have been affected by the University. Suffice it to say that I did not expect to end up where I am now and never even considered my current post when I was a student!

Try to work out what kind of job you want once you leave University and get as much information on it as you can. Volunteer in your holidays to get experience and try to meet professionals in your chosen field so that you have contacts when you leave University. If you don't know what you want to do or can't afford the time to volunteer try to get as much work experience as you can. Everything counts! I joined the Duke of Edinburgh Award Society and a few others. They were fun and helped me to meet new people from other subjects. It was hard to keep going to clubs when I had to commute each day but it was definitely worth it.

Life after Glasgow

My first job title after graduation was Assistant Surveyor. It was in fact a school leaver’s job and took me seven months to find. At the time it was estimated that it could take six to twelve months for graduates to find work after graduation, so I was lucky. The job was based at Grangemouth Oil Refinery. I was eager to get into the oil industry in some format. As part of my Geography degree I had been taught basic surveying and had really enjoyed the lessons, which is why I had applied for the job.

After a year and a half I realised I was not happy as a Surveyor and decided instead to pursue teaching, a career where I could use my Geography degree directly. I volunteered in two primary schools and several child based charities including Childline for a year before undertaking the one year Postgraduate Diploma in Education. Unfortunately it did not work out for me and I took some time out to really think about what I wanted to do. I spent two years training to be a Police Officer before beginning my training for the MOD Police.

As an MOD Police Officer I carry a firearm during all my patrols. MOD Police are not military. I have the same powers and privileges as any other Police Officer in the country but my jurisdiction lies within MOD property. As well as my patrols I have secondary duties such as wildlife crime and first aid trainer. These secondary duties are voluntary and good for widening my experience and knowledge.

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My Degree

I chose Commercial Law and other relevant courses to continue my undergraduate subject as I knew that my future career would be related to these courses. The best thing about my course was its relaxed and active class atmosphere. Teachers chose to inspire the students rather than to infuse them. A degree at Glasgow helped with my career and the University has a strong alumni network.

My Glasgow Experience

The joint programme between the School of Law at Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde gave us Law students more choices and better conditions for study. My degree has definitely made me more confident, more sociable and amiable, as well as making me more professional in my job in Law. I would advise students to participate in more social events rather than to stay in the library all of the time. This will help you in the long term. Whilst at Glasgow, I participated in the Reading Club and I played badminton. I was also in the Swimming Club and the Tuesday Night Club, which was a platform for students to integrate into the local scene. I cherished every single minute in Glasgow.

Life after Glasgow

My experience and the LLM degree have helped me very much in my career. Right after my returning to China, I was immediately recruited by the second largest local law firm as Paralegal. One year later, with my strong academic background and language advantage, I was promoted to Lawyer specializing in foreign investment and litigations. By end of 2010, I established my own law firm. And by the end of 2011, I founded my second company in London. For now, I am the founding Partner Lawyer of DLH & Partners Law Office, and the Chairman of Board of Directors of Wizdii Holdings Limited. I would say that without the studying experience at Glasgow, I would definitely not have achieved my objectives so soon, and so smoothly.

My Degree

I was passionate about history - but wanted a course that allowed me to dip into other subjects such as English Literature and Politics. Glasgow allowed me to indulge my passions but experiment with other liberal arts subjects. This gave me the breadth and depth that I was looking for. I loved the mix of modern lecture theatres and tutorials in the old quaint little rooms on the crescent. They are as atmospheric now as they were 20 years ago - and just what you imagine University life to be like! I enjoyed immersing myself in the library surrounded by piles of books, discovering new periods of history that left me entranced and engrossed. I found that I was capable of so much more than I imagined.

My degree has opened doors and in particular, helped me break into my first job in PR. The competition for graduate jobs was and still is intense. An Honours degree from Glasgow helped me make the cut...make the interview...get the foot in the door. The communication skills my degree developed in me (along with a spirit of enquiry) are still my most valuable business assets and have helped me develop a successful career in marketing and business development.

My Glasgow Experience

I was Entertainments Convenor at Queen Margaret Halls for two years - planning events from the weekly movie night to our annual ball and Burns supper. This was a great way to meet fellow students and to develop my CV at the same time. I have so many memorable experiences - Medieval History tutorials - they rocked! Researching my thesis in the library - what a place! But many of my most memorable experiences were nights out with friends - particularly getting dressed up in our most glamorous second hand vintage ball gowns (we were poor students) for the Daft Friday Balls. University gave me so much - it helped me become more confident...more articulate...and more adaptable. It shapes you intellectually but perhaps more importantly it helps you stand on your own two feet, particularly living away from home. It made me the independent person I am today - able to cope in a wide range of situations.

Life after Glasgow

I started as a PR Assistant for a tea and coffee company in 1990, then progressed into sales and marketing, becoming the youngest Director of the business aged 29, in 1998. I moved into heritage tourism in 2004, as Head of Visitor Services & Business Development for Historic Scotland. In 2009, I joined the University of Glasgow as International Director; moving to the University of New South Wales in Sydney, as Pro Vice Chancellor International in 2012. In my current position, I am responsible for the development and delivery of the university's international strategy covering student recruitment, student exchange, global education and international partnership development.

I returned to the University as International Director and Head of Student Recruitment in 2009 for three very happy years, before being approached by UNSW to move to Sydney.