Our postgraduate alumni

Current job: Senior Strategy Manager at Waterdrop

Current location: Vienna, Austria

Nationality: Austrian

Graduation year: 2016

LinkedIn: Stefanie Lukner

Stefanie's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

I started as a consultant with McKinsey Digital in Berlin, Germany where I worked for over four and half years on a variety of projects in the fields of consumer goods and healthcare. I have now moved to Watesdrop as their Senior Strategy Manager.

I was also on educational leave pursuing my PhD in Marketing, Consumer Behaviour at RWTH Aachen, Germany.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Before starting my postgraduate degree, I thought that I would want to work in a start-up after graduation.

However, I came across the opportunity to do an internship at the strategy consultancy McKinsey and Company. I ended up really enjoying the type of work, the cutting-edge topics and the smart and interesting people that I could work with and decided to work here full time.

Stefanie's Newcastle experience

Were you involved in any other extra curriculum activities or societies during your time here?

During my time at Newcastle University, I was rather focused on my studies as it was quite an intense course, but I regularly joined the Tennis Society as well as the Entrepreneurship Society.

Moreover, I took part in a coding programme called Code First: Girls, that was extremely insightful and helpful for my career at McKinsey Digital as well as my rather quantitative PhD.

"Make the most of your time as a student. Learn beyond what seems useful to your degree and other things that you find enjoyable. Consider career options that might seem far fetched but work towards them and don’t underestimate your abilities."

The future

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

As I work across industries, I can see that new technologies are affecting pretty much every company that I have been working with.

It is essential for them to understand the changing demands of consumers and how they can best cater to them and understand what they need to provide in terms of working environment to attract and retain talent.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I am not entirely sure what I will do professionally in five years' time, but I would hope to be working on something that I am passionate about, that gives me energy, that has a positive impact on the people around me and beyond – with people that I very much value and love to be around.

Current job: Multi-Family Investment Sales Associate at Colliers International

Current location: Ohio, USA

Nationality: USA

Graduation year: 2018

LinkedIn: Gil Richards

Gil's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

Since graduating, I joined NAI Bergman as a Summer Associate. I then went back into education and studied towards the MS Finance programme with a real estate focus at University of Cincinnati. I joined Colliers International in 2020 and currently work as the Multi-Family Investment Sales Associate.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Yes, but the modelling and thought process I developed at Newcastle University in just one year MSc programme truly amplified my ability to solve problems faster and more efficiently than before.

Gil's Newcastle experience

Were you involved in any extra-curriculum activities during your time here?

I was the Head Lacrosse Coach for the university teams.

"Make sure to take advantage of all the great resources and alumni connections the university has to offer."

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I see myself in the same role and the same company. I am a 1099 independent contractor, so I’m considered self-employed. I will also continue to invest in and grow my own real estate portfolio.

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

You need to be able to think independently in today’s fast paced environment. If you don’t know something, ask, or teach yourself. Above all else, it’s important to know how to market yourself effectively on LinkedIn and social media.

What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?

This is not a profession for the 9 to 5 folks. It’s very demanding, challenging, humbling, and emotionally draining at times. But if you thrive under pressure, demand a high standard for yourself and work well in a team, you will have success after a few years.

Current job: Senior Digital Marketing Manager EMEA-ANZ at Stanley Black & Decker

Current location: Slough, UK

Nationality: Dutch

Graduation year: 2017

LinkedIn: Elizabeth Nierop

Elizabeth's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

Following a Digital Marketing Internship at the Henkel Benelux offices, I joined Stanley Black & Decker at the end of 2017 as Social Media Assistant, to begin the process of aligning the markets within our region.

I then moved to the role of Social Media Manager EANZ, where I was responsible for leading the full social media activation and optimisation across Europe, Australia and New Zealand region across all our global tools and storage brands including Stanley Dewalt, Black & Decker and Facom. I have since been promoted to my current role of Senior Digital Marketing Manager EMEA-ANZ.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

My time at university honed my interests into marketing, and then specifically international marketing, working across multiple cultures.

Elizabeth's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

My favourite thing about the course would be the practical examples used in the module content and being able to hear the experiences of the lecturers who have worked in multinational organisations.

Were you involved in any other extra curriculum activities or societies during your time here?

Alongside my studies, I participated in the Newcastle Apprentice Challenge, as well as joined various societies. 

"Make the most of your time at the Business School, and ensure you take advantage of every opportunity to do something extra."

The future

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

Digital has transformed marketing and continues to change the architecture of marketing year on year.

Technology will enable us to better provide a personalised experience for our customers, who in turn will receive the best experience possible from the brands they are truly passionate about.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Continuing to work in international digital marketing, retaining the focus on consumer goods.

Current job: Corporate Strategy & Development Director at RTL Deutschland GmbH

Current location: Cologne, Germany

Nationality: German

Graduation year: 2017

LinkedIn: Niclas Farrenkopf

Niclas' career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

Following my graduation, I moved to Munich, Germany and joined one of the largest media and entertainment powerhouses in Europe; ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE.

Later on, I joined the Strategy and Business Development Unit of Joyn, a new digital, multichannel entertainment streaming platform that bundles live-streaming and on-demand content for the German market.

As Senior Strategy Consultant I managed and evaluated company-wide, cross-departmental strategic projects or engaged in consulting of other teams and departments. I supported strategic initiatives, conducted detailed analysis of complex issues and created business models to enable and prepare strategic decisions on management level.

In September 2021, I moved to RTL Deutschland GmbH to take up the role of Corporate Strategy & Development Director.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

My interest in strategy and business development developed before and during my master's studies.

Therefore, to some degree, my current job is quite in line with what I planned to do before starting university. However, starting my career in the entertainment industry was something I did not see coming back then. I certainly knew though that my chosen double degree programme would provide me with a broad set of options in an international environment in the future. 

Niclas' Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

Hands down, the level of international exposure and experience comes through the fact that the programme is equally distributed between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

While the focus on practical cases, the general importance of group work and assessments and the approachability of my teachers were all elements I consider as a huge benefit of the programme, the one thing that stands out is the strong international focus of the double degree programme which enables students to deep dive into two completely different cultures and educational settings.

These circumstances foster proactivity, openness and a positive mindset when it comes to change – all aspects which will not only bring you forward in your future job, but even more essential, which will bring you forward and help you grow as an individual, and which prepare you for today’s globalized world.

Were you involved in any other extra curriculum activities or societies during your time here?

I was heavily involved in activities outside of my programme. These include:

• Course Representative for Advanced International Business Management
• Secretary of the Student-Staff Committee
• Culture Committee Activities Officer of the Erasmus Student Network Groningen
• Newcastle University Tennis Society
• Newcastle University Squash Club
• NCL+ Advanced Award in Leadership
• GSTTV Idéfix Groningen
• TC Veracket Groningen
• Squadraat Squash Club Groningen
• Newcastle University Business Champion (University Ambassador)

"Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to help you grow."

The future

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

The future of the media and entertainment industry will be significantly shaped through the effects of technological advancements.

A growing trend away from television towards streaming, from linear/live to non-linear/on-demand video consumption and advancements in technologies such as voice recognition, virtual reality and machine learning will change the entertainment experience of consumers.

Work-wise we will see a growing trend towards flexible ways of working, an increased focus on work-life balance and potentially a shift away from the pure measurement of work time more towards work contribution (measuring impact, not effort).

We have a generation with a strong focus on the purpose and quality of work. We want to have an impact, and we want a workplace that is fun to work at.

In my opinion, the media and entertainment industry is at the forefront of this development. It’s an exciting environment with a strong trend towards global media consumption, with growing international competition and demands for new and innovative entertainment concepts. And technology enabling new products, features and innovations will for sure be in the centre of this development.

Current job: Former Associate Vice President – Futures Electronic Trading Sales at Barclays Investment Bank

Current location: London, UK

Nationality: British

Graduation year: 2017

LinkedIn: Tom Cullen

Tom's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

I worked in Sales on the trading floor for Barclays Investment Bank. There are a lot of divisions in the investment bank. I worked in global markets and focused on a niche part which was selling algorithms on financial derivatives. I had to get conversations with heads of trading and teach them about our product and how the product can help them. You get involved with a lot of different projects working for a large investment bank. I’m now taking a break and travelling around the world.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Yes and no. I knew I wanted to work in financial markets for an investment bank but there are so many niche parts that I didn’t know which team I wanted to be in.

Tom's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

People – university can be stressful but when you have good people, it makes the stressful periods easier. I met people that were similar, but also different to me, and that really opened my eyes.

Were you involved in any extra-curriculum activities during your time here?

I believe extracurriculars are the most important part of university life. There is no other time or place in your life when you will have a platform to experience such a wide variety of activities. I founded Newcastle University Investment Society and took it to third largest society in second year of being president. I also founded NCL Capital Partners – Newcastle University’s student managed fund - which had 100 students involved in its second year.

"University is about developing you as a character and giving you a platform to decide who you want to be. What is important is you getting a better idea of who you are as a person and the type of character that you are."

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

If I knew that, it would ruin the surprise of life. 

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

There’s a difference between buzz and reality of technology. Large institutions will be investing in new technologies but on the other hand, they will have the legacy and  experience in previous ways of work. The pace of doing things is limited by the big players in the sector. Start-ups can afford to get it wrong but large institutions cannot and therefore, it is naturally slow moving because of this.

What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?

Networking is important. Don’t be afraid to use LinkedIn and speak to people in the industry. It’s a small world. 99% of people will be happy to have a conversation with you but make sure to do your research beforehand. You have to use someone’s time wisely.

Current job: Consulting Associate, PwC, Beijing

Current location: Beijing

Nationality: Chinese

Graduation year: 2017

Leo's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

After graduating from Newcastle University, I went back to China and worked in a private equity firm for four months as an intern. During the internship, I received the full time offer from PwC. In October 2018, I started to work for PwC in Beijing. Since the offer is a trainee program, I can work in different service lines including Assurance, Management Consulting, Deals etc.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Yes, getting into one of the big four firms after graduating was always my aim.

Leo's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

My favourite thing about the course was how comprehensive it was, as it covered all I needed to find a job in the financial industry in China.

Were you involved in any other extra curriculum activities or societies during your time here?

I applied for an internship program held by the Business School which gave me the opportunity to work in a local bank with students from other universities. It helped develop my teamworking and time management skills due to the fast paced environment and having to work with people with different working styles. It also gave me an insight into the finance industry which helped in my job application process.

"Since there is a new policy for the international students’ T4 visa, my suggestion is for students to find internships related to their career goals while still in the UK. It’s very useful when looking for jobs in China."

The future

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of work) affecting your sector?

I am now working on a project which uses Python to achieve data processing and automation. Large masses of data from clients can be processed and calculated by several pieces of code in a few minutes, compared to days if using the traditional way.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Still working on planning the future in the next five years.

Current job: Co-Founder and Managing Director at Polybox

Current location: Newcastle, UK

Nationality: Greek

Graduation year: 2020

LinkedIn: Nikolaos Benopoulos

Nikolaos' career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

After graduating from university I managed to work for NICD as a researcher for 3 months, which was within the Tech/IT Industry. What really helped me be very productive in this role was the fact that in university we had lectures about databases, ERP AND CRM systems so when the technical people were talking about technical things I could follow the conversation without a lot of explanations from their part.

After that, I managed to get a job at a marketing agency, as a digital paid marketer, here in Newcastle, so I am working in the Marketing sector now. What helped me a lot was the knowledge I acquired through my Bachelor and Master's but also knowledge I gained from my own research. Specifically, the research I did for my thesis (for my Master's) helped a lot since it was about user behaviour on YouTube regarding skippable ads.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

More or less yes. I knew that I wanted to create my own company and also, have a marketing career.

Nikolaos' Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

The case studies and the depth of the information that our professors were giving us. When it comes to my favourite thing on the course, I would definitely say all the modules that included tech knowledge because now I realise how important data is and I can balance between two worlds (tech world and the business world). I believe this is valuable and it's something that our world needs more of - people that have broader knowledge from different disciplines

Were you involved in any other extra curriculum activities or societies during your time here?

I took part in the Coca Cola Asia Challenge. Me and a team of  5 other people participated in this particular challenge that had 3 rounds. In each round we were asked to solve a specific set of tasks. The tasks had to with finding new ways that Coca Cola can collect and recycle its cans and plastic bottles from Asia in a better and smarter way. We managed to get to the final round but due to Covid unfortunately we never got to finish the challenge.

"...involve yourself in more projects related to your field and meet as many people as possible to expand your network"

The future & reflection

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

PolyBox grows and we are known in the UK and a digital company.

What one piece of advice would you give to a student who wants to work in your industry?

• Take the classes seriously. It’s a special experience. Also, involve yourself in more projects related to your field and meet as many people as possible to expand your network. Connections are everything.
• Make it count.

Current job: Data Analyst at AutoScout24

Current location: Munich, Germany

Nationality: Greek

Graduation year: 2016

LinkedIn: Marios Moskofidis

Marios's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

I previously worked as a Business Analyst for Cluno GmbH. Being part of the data department, my responsibility was to fetch, manipulate and visualize data according to the relevant use cases and provide meaningful insights in order to optimise business decisions. Before Cluno, I was working for DHL in a similar role. Before and right after my graduation I was operating as a freelancer offering Digital Marketing solutions for small and medium size companies.

I am now a Business Analyst at AutoScout24.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Life is unpredictable in a lot of ways and plans change constantly, you therefore need to be flexible and adjustable in different situations. In my path after graduation things did not come exactly as planned/imagined beforehand. However, I am more than grateful for all the experiences gathered this period and extremely happy and satisfied with my current status and occupation.

Marios's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

The course in total was demanding hence it was needed to challenge myself a lot in various perspectives. On thinking about that fact now, I am certain that it helped me realise my full potential and learn how to be more consistent and dedicated in achieving my goals.

Were you involved in any other extra curriculum activities or societies during your time here?

I was a proud member of the Newcastle University Volleyball club and participated in the British Universities and Colleges Sport league. Moreover, I was selected as a Business Ambassador and worked for the Marketing and Communications team of the Business School.

"Be flexible, do not hesitate to ask questions and try to be involved as much as possible in university activities/societies to enrich your student experience."

The future

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

Being a part of the IT sector, obviously technology has a huge impact in my daily operations/tasks. Therefore, I totally embrace technological change/new technologies that can assist me further or automate parts of my daily functions. In addition, I support the remote working style as technology allows more and more companies to integrate the home-office option for their employees and make the work/life balance even better. 

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I really enjoy working with data and analytics and I see myself to still be in this field in five years’ time. Hopefully, I would be able to be in a higher leadership role after gathering experience over this period. 

Current job: Co-Founder and Managing Director at Polybox

Current location: Newcastle, UK

Nationality: Iranian

Graduation year: 2020

LinkedIn: Rojin Yarahmadi

Rojin's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

After graduating, I started to work with NICD on a data analysis project. I learned a lot about how data works. since then I am working with an energy company as Digital Marketing Executive (as a part-time job). It helped me to learn more and more about sustainability and PR. 

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

I had no idea what wanted to do but I know I wanted to have experience in the area.

Nikolaos' Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

I loved all the classes, mostly Technology Change and Innovation Management ,  Competing with IT,  Digital Start-up with Lean Innovation. Topics in these classes were fascinating and they always covered the innovation and creativity part.

Were you involved in any other extra curriculum activities or societies during your time here?

I have worked with NCL on a website development project, that helped me understand how the University operates. During the summer before graduation, when I was working on my dissertation I started working with a start-up as a Brand Marketeer. During that time I learned a lot about how marketing works and how I can use what I studied in real life. Also, I learned to produce podcasts, design documents and market strategic planning. I am still using those skills.

"Take the classes seriously, it’s a special experience."

The future & reflection

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

PolyBox grows and we are known in the UK and a digital company.

What one piece of advice would you give to a student who wants to work in your industry?

• Take the classes seriously, it’s a special experience. 

Current job: Research Assistant and Ph.D. Candidate in Accounting and Finance at ESCP Business School

Current location: Berlin, Germany

Nationality: German

Graduation year: 2019

LinkedIn: Mateusz Tokarski

Mateusz's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

After graduation, I completed a six-month internship at Grant Thornton in the Transactions & Restructuring department. I then started my Ph.D. at ESCP Business School.

Mateusz's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

I was intrigued by the quantitatively highly demanding courses, such as Applied Econometrics, Time-Series Econometrics and Risk Modelling. Here, I learned contemporary theory as well as practical applications of econometrics by using Stata and R to solve econometric problems based on real economics and financial data. I believe these modules deepened my statistical and econometric knowledge and prepared me well for an empirically oriented doctoral program.

Were you involved in any extra-curriculum activities during your time here?

I was an active member at the student-managed fund NCL Capital Partners and the Finance Society at the Newcastle University Business School.

"You need to be adaptive and willing to learn continuously."

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I want to pursue either a career within higher education and a university setting or start a career as a management consultant at one of the major strategy consultancies.

What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?

You should be hard-working and highly committed to your education. Moreover, you should demonstrate a high level of self-sufficiency, proactivity and be able to think analytically and synthetize diverse information quickly, with minimum supervision.

Current job: HR Specialist at Sparkasse Hamm

Current location: Hamm, Germany

Nationality: German

Graduation year: 2018

LinkedIn: Jenny Benz

Jenny's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

After graduation I started to work in recruiting as I thought that was exactly what I wanted to do. However, I quickly realised that working in strategic and law related topics was what really piqued my interest. So, I moved on to my current employer where I am working in the HR department as an HR specialist. My main tasks are the prognosis and planning of personnel costs for the whole house, the elaboration of legal questions and advising employees in HR related topics.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

As I am a communicative person, I guess I expected to work in a position that involves more public speaking, marketing, and representative tasks. I love my job and working on problems, planning and analysis. However, I am not only sitting behind a computer, but I am also doing presentations and some recruiting tasks. My employer gives fantastic opportunities to develop and extend my knowledge.

Jenny's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

I really loved the internationality of the course. Students and staff came from everywhere across the world. It enabled me to learn much more than just the subject. You learn to work in a heterogenous environment, understand different perspectives and obtain the best solution for a diverse problem.

Were you involved in any extra-curriculum activities during your time here?

I worked as a Business Champion and as a volunteer at the Student Advice Centre, which both gave me the chance to interact with current and prospective students with different backgrounds. It helped me gain my first working experience.

"Try something new, go beyond and think outside of the box, you never know what you’ll discover.”

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I am passionate about my job and share the values of my company so I would love to see the Sparkasse Hamm develop further in the digital world and be part of the change.

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

The Finance and Banking sector, especially in local and smaller banks, has changed massively in the last decade. Everything becomes more digital and online banking is now normal to most customers. This and digital banking advice are just the start of the digital transformation. I believe the expectations of the generations who grew up with technology will accelerate this trend.

Current job: Senior Business Consultant at People Spark Solutions

Current location: Gateshead

Nationality: German

Graduation year: 2020

LinkedIn: Dustin Hafki

Dustin's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

Since graduating, I have joined People Spark Solutions, a recently launched consultancy firm. Day to day I engage in a diverse range of work, such as supporting clients in understanding more about their people, working with a team of organisational experts to help a client become more customer focused, as well as supporting transformational systems change as L&D and Change Practitioner. In addition, I have been certified in PRINCE2 project management and have been recognised in the People Management’s HR 30 under 30 list 2022.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Not exactly. When I started university, I did not appreciate the different roles and specialisations within HR. Throughout my course I became increasingly interested in Learning and Development, which is where I landed now.

Dustin's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

My favourite part about the course was the support all around, starting with the lecturers, a great peer-network, as well as the supporting structure and equipment provided by the university.

"Be smart about getting into your first role and use all the tools (e.g. Careers Service, LinkedIn) and networking events to build contacts. Take some time to identify where you want to be in the future, don’t be afraid if your first role doesn’t match exactly what you wanted but instead focus on your road to get where you want to be."

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

In terms of my future, I currently still feel very undecided. On one hand, I really enjoy what I currently do, and the skills needed in project management and consultancy and would love to build upon them. On the other hand, I have always felt strongly about returning to university for a PhD and potentially starting a career in academics. Therefore, my future and where I see myself in five years is very unpredictable. I hope to have progressed my research and management skills.

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

In my opinion, it is important to stay up to date on research and technology within consultancy. My expectation for Learning and Development is that training environments and training journeys of the future need to be designed for a mixed audience of people attending from home and people attending “live”.

What one piece of advice would you give somebody studying your course for success upon graduation?

Find your own ways of working and preferences, there is no blueprint! What worked for me was high discipline to engage with the course content ahead of the lectures even when I had to push myself to do so, however I strongly believe you must find your own way.

Current job: Founder, Director & CEO at PMO Basketball

Current location: Reading, UK

Nationality: USA

Graduation year: 2018

LinkedIn: Patrick Wrencher Jr.

Patrick's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

I went on to play professional basketball in Europe and Latin America. After my playing career finished, I was able to move back to the UK and start my business, PMO Basketball.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Yes. I knew I wanted to play professional basketball as well as start a business and through hard work and dedication I was able to meet all my major goals since graduation.

Patrick's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

My favourite part of the course was learning new ideas and concepts and being able to apply them in a practical way.

Were you involved in any extra-curriculum activities during your time here?

Yes. I played basketball for Team Newcastle University.

"Think big. There are no limits to what you can achieve besides the limits you put on yourself.”

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

In five years, I see myself married and starting a family. I’d also like to have a lot more success with my company and impact lives all over the world.

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

I believe the biggest way that my sector will change is the shift to remote work. Most of the work I do is already remote, but I think that’s going to be the norm across the industry very soon.

What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?

Connections are everything. You are only as valuable as your network.

Current job: Strategic Account Manager - International Partnerships at IU International University of Applied Science

Current location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Nationality: Dutch

Graduation year: 2018

LinkedIn: Melvin Bostelaar

Melvin's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

Between June and September 2022, I worked at MSI Global as part of their marketing team. Unfortunately this job was not quite what I had thought it would be and I decided to quit. My current role at IU enables me to help students globally to experience international education, something which I have enjoyed greatly.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Not quite. I initially wanted to work in market research but instead, I find myself doing something much more meaningful, in my opinion.

Melvin's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

The level at which critical thinking had to be applied in assignments, the practicality of them, as well as the depth of the course material.

Were you involved in any extra-curriculum activities during your time here?

I did free Japanese classes for one semester at the Language Resource Centre.

"Don’t feel like you’re not qualified for a role. The diploma you’ve received from Newcastle University Business School is proof of your qualification and the knowledge you possess, as well as the critical and creative thinking you are capable of.”

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I would like to continue developing myself to become an expert in my field. Rather than a manager, I would like to hold an advisory role.

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

Future technologies will continue to shape the Higher Education landscape. From student recruitment to new methods of teaching and even entirely new degrees being offered. I believe Higher Education will be at the forefront of these changes, as it is essential to educate the leaders and professionals of the future on how to make the best use of the new technologies.

What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?

The best part of working in the Higher Education industry is knowing that you are contributing to something truly meaningful.

Current job: Consulting Manager (Business Transformation), EY

Current location: Munich, Germany

Nationality: Italian

Graduation year: 2016

LinkedIn: Prisca Fattori

Prisca's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

I love working for EY, as I feel there is a need for a fresh approach in the banking industry. I've learnt a lot since joining the firm, firstly in Newcastle upon Tyne, where I worked for two years, and now in Munich, Germany, where I am currently based. I feel like I am a piece of a larger puzzle bringing value to our clients every day and on seeing the impact of what we do in my client's successes, I'm left with a strong sense of satisfaction and am proud of what we achieve.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Of course, none of this was planned! I met the love of my life at Newcastle University, who is German and who made me consider a career in this country. I’ve never considered moving to Germany before and, a year later after my relocation, I wouldn’t have done anything differently!

Prisca's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

My favourite thing about the course would be being able to meet so many like-minded people in the school and being able to learn from each other's experiences.

Were you involved in any other extra curriculum activities or societies during your time here?

I was a Business Champion for the Business School, meaning that I used to represent the students at all events and occasions, especially when external organisations or partners were invited to the Business School.

"Take part in as many events as possible! You never know who you are going to meet – a future employer or a new friend."

The future

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

Banks will not be able to run their business as usual processes without technology – this is a given. On the one hand, FinTechs are democratising financial services and always tapping into new markets, which may have been served the same way for decades. On the other hand, there is still some resistance to change, especially in the bigger corporations, where long-term client relationships are the foundations of the business and technology may be negatively seen as a replacement of those human interactions. The solution is not easy, but the implementation of technology into banking processes is not going to stop, therefore an early integration may be the most suitable approach.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I see myself as a wife, a mother and a working professional, ideally still within EY. Combining all three may be challenging, but a role allowing and promoting flexible working may be the right solution.

Current job: Senior Digital Transformation Consultant at Avaus Marketing Innovations

Current location: Munich, Germany

Nationality: German

Graduation year: 2018

LinkedIn: Mara Drotziger

Mara's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

After graduating, I returned to Germany and started working in a Consultancy for digital transformation in the Marketing, Sales and Service department. I have been working my way up from Junior, to Consultant, to Senior – focusing on Marketing Automation.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

I didn’t know at the time that this was the exact role I had been looking for, but I always knew I wanted to find a job that combined the creativity of digital marketing with technology and data.

Mara's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

I enjoyed that it was a mix of courses covering classic disciplines in social studies like social research and statistics, as well as courses where we were able to apply our knowledge in “real-life” scenarios and projects.

Were you involved in any extra-curriculum activities during your time here?

Since the course was quite intense, I decided to join a couple of fun societies for sports and activities like the Dance Society.

"Invest the time, find yourself study buddies, work hard – it is one year, so make it count. BUT know that part of working hard and managing yourself is actively making room for breaks and fun.”

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I don’t want my future to be defined by a job title, but rather by the skillset I aim to develop. Coming from a Marketing background, I hope that I will have developed even more technical and IT skills in five years’ time through providing deep knowledge in system architectures and data models. At the same time, my goal is to work on leadership skills in guiding, teaching, but also listening and learning from others in my company.

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

In digital transformation, it is crucial to be on top of new trends. Understanding their impact on technologies and industries enables us to deliver the best fit of recommendations and technologies to our clients. For me and my colleagues, the new ways of working also directly impacts our work. Our office is located in a co-working space where we can flexibly in- or decrease the number of seats our team requires. Almost 90% of our client meetings are taking place digitally with participants calling in from wherever it suits them best. Especially in meetings where a high level of participation is required from everyone, digital workshop planning and presenting skills become more and more important.

What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?

Be curious and don’t put yourself into a box: You are not JUST a project manager, you are not JUST a developer, you are not JUST creating content. In order to create value in digital transformation, you have to understand the full picture, covering many different areas. This means that you will have to communicate with business functions, sales functions as well as tech and IT departments.

Current job: Agency Account Strategist at Google

Current location: Dublin, Ireland

Nationality: Austrian

Graduation year: 2017

LinkedIn: Verena Mather

Verena's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

I started at Austria’s biggest telecommunication company, A1, in International Marketing. After eight months, I switched to Coca-Cola, as Social Media Manager and was responsible for all social media channels of all our brands, influencer marketing at The Coca-Cola Company (managed to include influencers in Out Of Home and Television Commercial advertisement for the very first time in Austria) as well as leading other projects on both local and central levels. In February 2019, I was promoted to the position of digital commerce manager which was a position newly created in the beginning of 2019. My main responsibilities included owning our newly launched Coca-Cola App, leading all digitally focussed commerce projects and driving Coca-Cola’s involvement in all different kinds of eSports and Gaming projects.

I am now an Agency Account Strategist at Google.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

I didn’t have any concrete plans before starting university. However, it was always my dream to work in the marketing department of a globally renowned company.

Verena's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

My favourite thing about the course was the connection of theory to practice (e.g. working on projects with real companies). 

"Try to connect every University project (even if it’s a very theoretical one) with a real-life example. This makes it much easier to understand the rationale behind it and at the same time it makes it way more interesting to work on it."

The future

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

As I’m working in digital marketing, I look very positively towards the technological future. It would be more open and there would be more possibilities to connect to your consumers and engage with them in a very different way. 

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I would love to develop myself even more intensely towards the digital world, especially with relation to upcoming technologies and their opportunities. 

Current job: Social Media & Digital Activation Manager at Smartfren

Current location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Nationality: Indonesian

Graduation year: 2018

LinkedIn: Livia Stella Putradjaja

Livia's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

I worked at an e-commerce company, a start-up company and now I’ll be starting my new role in a telco company. My work specialises in Digital Marketing, particularly in Social Media and Branding & Community Management. I also created a podcast (in Indonesian) where I shared my and my partner’s experience about studying and working abroad - so those who are considering living abroad could have a perspective and prepare themselves better by listening to our previous stories.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Kind of. I was sure I would be working in the Digital Marketing industry, as my educational background and interests have always revolved within the creative media and marketing sectors. Nonetheless, I am aiming to learn more about different aspects of Marketing in the upcoming year, particularly about Branding, Data Analysis and Content Marketing.

Livia's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

I was able to meet people from all around the world, learning and discussing issues from various perspectives and was challenged to think critically in a structured, data-driven, detailed but concise manner.

Were you involved in any extra-curriculum activities during your time here?

I used to work in JobsOC and did an internship with Global Challenges Academy which enabled me to apply the marketing skills that I learned in the Business School into real-world projects.

"Enjoy your study, manage your time well and try to learn as much as you can – both academically and also personally – especially if you’re an international student, because your mind would be widened by having friends around the world.”

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Hopefully in the next 5 years I could have deeper knowledge in all sectors of Marketing, allowing me  to work for bigger multinational companies with bigger impacts, and my work could be related to the newest technologies such as AI. I’d love to try to work for different industries as well, such as film. I also hope to create interesting content and share valuable experience through my podcast.

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

I’ve been working in the Social Media industry for 6 years since I was an intern, and I’ve seen so many changes within the years to coincide with the changes in technology. I personally think Social Media would still be the key touch point for customers in the next few years, with new platforms and features appearing. Localisation would be extremely important for Social Media Marketing, and the influencers/creators would be the fuel that drive the communities. AI would help in the creative sectors as well, as we could create content and copy easily with the help of Machine Learning. I believe complex problem-solving skills and holistic approach strategies would be the skills that are definitely needed in the job market.

What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?

Try to volunteer, get work experience, an internship, or placements whenever you can. Build your portfolio as early as possible, and don’t forget to try to work in different industries and roles,so you will know what type of work you enjoy and would like to focus on.

Current job: Senior Analyst at Cinda International Securities

Current location: Shanghai, China

Nationality: Chinese

Graduation year: 2015

LinkedIn: Song Lichao

Kyle's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

After graduating from Newcastle, I studied a Masters on MSc Metals and Energy Finance in Imperial College London. During this time, I passed the CFAII exam through self-study. Since graduating from Imperial College London, I started my career as a consulting analyst in Frost&Sullivan and my job scope included writing prospectus and conducting commercial due diligence. I have also been involved in 15 industry consulting projects for IPOs on HKEx or other oversea exchanges with focus on TMT where I conducted research, modelling, data validation and drafted the prospectus of the industry overview. I was also responsible for providing industry consulting services to companies in Asia Pacific to seek a new round of financing development such as IPO projects and issuing corporate bonds.

I am now a Senior Analyst at Cinda International Securities. 

Is the above what you planned to do before starting University?

Yes it was, I've wanted to work in consulting since before starting University.

Kyle's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

My favourite thing about the course was the amount of collaboration that was needed during group work. I enjoyed the cooperation and engagement with other team members in order to accomplish our tasks. This experience helped shape my professional life and is one of my core values in my work.

"Expand your social circle by being involved in more alumni associations and workshops hosted by external companies. Apply for work experience through internships as well in order to help your employability."

The future

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

I feel that the increasing development of cutting-edge technologies especially AI, will significantly impact the way of working in the consulting industry as the software would be able to generate reports and fulfill other adminstrative tasks that may have previously been done by employees.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I hope to be a Partner in a consulting firm, either in my current company or somewhere else. I am also aiming to have a deeper understanding of global primary markets.

Current job: Supply Chain & Marketing Manager/Partner at Anjaneya Beltings

Current location: Chennai, India

Nationality: Indian

Graduation year: 2020

LinkedIn: Hima Koteswara Rao Anabham

Hima's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

I developed expertise in international clients and partner relationships whilst in UK and returned to India to lead my company in Supply Chain and Marketing as a Manager.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

Yes, I wished to gain international exposure and develop my business contacts, which is what I went on to do.

Hima's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

Both theory and practical exposure with tasks based on real time work scenarios.

Were you involved in any extra-curriculum activities during your time here?

I was an active member of NUSU Go Volunteer & Sports club.

"Start early, work hard and play hard. Success will find you."

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

In 5 years, I wish to be the leading Conveyor belts manufacturer in India. I desire my Company to be a one stop place for all types of conveyor belting solutions.

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

Since my firm's production is based on manual labour work, latest technology development has lured people into tech jobs rather than working in their core jobs which makes it difficult to find manual labours and technical engineers in India.

What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?

Learn with more practical examples, keep updated with latest developments in the field and work beyond your comfort zone.

Current job: Event Sales Manager at Hotelite Betriebsgesellschaft

Current location: Düsseldorf, Germany

Nationality: German

Graduation year: 2018

LinkedIn: Nicole Nawrat

Nicole's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

I started working in the hotel business as a sales assistant for an international hotel brand. After 2 months I was promoted to Deputy Sales Manager. Since it was time for a change, I switched jobs and I am currently working as an Event Sales Manager for a big international hotel brand. 

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

To be honest – no. I assumed I would work in the supply chain and logistics segment. But life doesn’t always go as planned. However, I found a different part of my passion and a job that fulfils me. 

Nicole's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

My favourite thing about my course was that we were able to do a lot of group work. This gave us the chance to interact with international students which made it fun and interesting. Moreover, I also liked to gain an in-depth understanding of supply chain processes. 

"Have fun and enjoy your time at Newcastle. Time will pass so quickly you wish you could do it all over again. Keep a good balance between play hard and work hard.“

The future

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

It is always difficult to say since you don’t know where life will take you. Ideally, I would like to own my own business and hotel. 

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

I can see that some processes will be easier and quicker. However, direct guest contact is always a pleasure, and I don’t think that technology could ever replace human interaction.

What one piece of advice would you give to somebody looking to start a career in your industry?

You should put your heart and soul into it and have a lot of fun at what you do. Flexibility and perseverance can't hurt either.

Current job: Deals Advisory Senior Associate at PwC

Current location: London, UK

Nationality: British

Graduation year: 2017

LinkedIn: Akaash Rajput

Akaash's career

Since graduating, what have you gone on to do?

Following my postgraduate studies I decided to travel before beginning my career. I worked as a Pricing Analyst for 6 months before flying to South East Asia for 6 months to try something different. Shortly after I returned I moved to London to start my new role as a Business Analyst. The position did not best utilise my financial expertise so I continued to pursue a more suitable role and soon after, I managed to secure a position at PwC in Deal Advisory.

Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?

I had very little direction prior to starting university. During my studies I changed my mind several times before really being sure. In fact, it wasn’t until I’d returned from my travels (a year after completing my postgraduate studies) that I was confident in where I wanted to work!

Akaash's Newcastle experience

What was your favourite thing about your course?

The course was well structured and did not assume any prior financial knowledge which was helpful since my undergraduate studies was Mathematics. It was well suited to my background as it was (as the name suggests) more on the quantitative side of finance whilst still providing the theory to demonstrate its application.

Were you involved in any other extra curriculum activities or societies during your time here?

I was involved in the Newcastle University Investment Society which I co-founded in 2016. Most of my other hobbies were outside of the University societies.

"Make use of the Business School’s subscriptions and other utilities, Financial Times can become quite the expense after studying and Bloomberg terminal experience may come in handy!"

The future

How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (Future of Work) affecting your sector?

My particular stream of Deals (Financial Decisions and Analysis) has emerged straight out of the changes we are seeing in technology. Deal advisory is able to go much further with the use of better data analytics and visualisation tools to help deliver data driven insights to our clients. Being tech savvy and open to new and changing technologies is becoming more and more compulsory!

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I may specialise in a particular sector where I can truly utilise my expertise and interests in tandem or I may continue on to become a Senior Manager in Deals advisory where I am more involved in client acquisition and managing projects which drive growth in their business.