Rachel Hayes

Your time at the University

Image

Edinburgh is a wonderful city to live and study in as there is always something happening. I fell in love with the University as soon as I saw the George Square campus; I had come for an open day and knew I would feel at home studying there. One summer I got a job through the University’s Career Service, which led to me staying in Edinburgh during the festival, it was a brilliant atmosphere with so many visitors and nonstop events.

Aside from studies, my time at the Edinburgh University Equestrian Club (EUEC) gave host to many valued memories and friendships.  I was a member of the club throughout my four-year course, holding positions on the Club committee as well as riding for the University in my final year.

I was honoured to be award the Sports Union Colours Award for commitment to the Club and the Sports Union, it made my time even more special.

One of the reasons I was attracted to the Business Studies degree was the breadth of topics it covered. The modules in marketing introduced me to the subject and I realised that I wanted to pursue it as a career. The marketing strategies I gained through the lectures and assignments taught me to put the theory into practice have been instrumental in my marketing career.

Since graduating, I have worked in a variety of roles that have seen me focus upon various areas of marketing including market research, traditional print marketing, digital marketing, and PR.  The rounded education that I gained from my Business Studies degree has been invaluable, as it gave me a solid base of commercial awareness that has helped me understand the organisations that I have gone on to work for.

I am currently based in Sheffield and work as a Student Recruitment Support Manager at the University of Sheffield.  I work with a range of individuals across the University’s Faculty of Social Sciences to support them in developing marketing and student recruitment strategies.  Each department within the Faculty is very different and I like getting to work on a range of different projects with each one.  I enjoy working in higher education, as it is an area where effective marketing approaches are constantly changing and developing, which challenges me to implement innovative approaches.

Alumni wisdom

Make the most of your time at the University and take the opportunity to gain as many new experiences as you can – whether that’s through joining a club or society, or gaining work experience.  Along with your degree, these experiences will be so valuable for your future, and you will really enjoy taking part in them too.