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I graduated from Ulster University in 2010 with a BSc Honours degree in Business with Accounting. I have many great memories from my time at Ulster University Business School, from staying up late at night to studying with class friends to many coffee breaks in between. I felt a great sense of relief when Professor Karise Hutchinson kindly gave me good feedback for my coursework. To be very honest, I didn't have the heart to tell Karise that I had stayed up all night to meet my deadline in time!
A very special thank you to Dr. Ken Dyson and Dr. Michael Thompson for sharing the importance of good financial management using business case studies to give me the opportunity to apply financial management and accounting theory in a practical real-life context. This learning is still very much applicable to me today as I embark in my own business journey as Founder of Sarella James Training Services and Sarella James Business Community Programmes. I still read financial newspapers and business industry reports on a regular basis to stay up-to-date with current global business events (as per the UU accounting teams previous guidance).
I think my time at Ulster shaped my career, as I had taken guidance from the UUBS Curriculum team in regard to keeping up to date with best practice knowledge changes, which are particularly beneficial to me as a previous Branch Manager during the pandemic and now as a new business owner.
One piece of advice I would have for current students and graduates would be to seek out work experience, whether that’s something part-time, a placement year or voluntary work. It’s crucial to develop your technical knowledge and your soft skills such as problem-solving and team working skills, which are essential in this digitally advanced age. Practical work experience and extracurricular activities can enhance your CV, giving you the opportunity to use them as STAR examples at job interviews.
I would recommend that you reach out and connect with your UU careers team regarding your career path and to discuss opportunities that are available to you. Never be afraid to ask for help from the highly supportive and engaging curriculum team or front-line support staff at UU. They are there to help you and they want the best for you as I have recently experienced myself when I completed a PG Upskilling Leadership and Management module with the fantastic Frances Devine, who continued to motivate and inspire learners with real-life examples within the Hospitality, Tourism and Events industries.
If you are applying for job promotions in the future, you may find that employers ask for Post Graduate, Masters or Doctorate certificates (as part of their recruitment process) and this is why staying in touch with UUBS, is so important for your future career succession.
In three words, I would describe my time at Ulster University Business School at engaging, supportive and community.
