JEREMY BOOK

Name: Jeremy Book
Course: Economics and Management
Position: IBM Global Business Services Strategy and Change
Highlights: Leeds is a fantastic place to be

After graduating with a first class BA (Hons) degree in Economics and Management, Jeremy Book began working for IBM as a management consultant. In his current role within the IBM Global Business Services Strategy and Change practice, he offers advice to private and public sector organisations about IT governance and performance management: helping to improve IT processes and services to deliver higher quality and value.

Why did you choose Leeds?
I chose the course at Leeds because, at the time, it was one of only a few places where Economics could be combined with Management.

However, although I didn’t have a structured career plan in mind when starting at Leeds, I knew that for me the academic side of both subjects was not as important as learning how to apply my knowledge in a workplace scenario. I recognised the value of the flexible nature of the course, which allowed me to spend a year on an industrial placement.

You completed a work placement at Leeds, where did you work and how did it help?
I worked as a business analyst for a major life insurance provider in Bristol, experience of which provided me with the confidence to eventually follow my current career path as a management consultant within IT. LUBS provided a particularly helpful framework for managing the placement; in fact the approach for collecting and reporting evidence of progress and development was very similar to the way I continue to do this today at IBM. This was a valuable skill to learn before starting out in a corporate environment. I can honestly say that I believe the placement was as valuable to me as taking a Masters course would have been. Although many of my professional peers have further qualifications, it is evidence of competence, teamwork and leadership experience combined with the ability and willingness to learn that are the key things employers will look for.

What did you particularly enjoy about the course?
The management decision-making and strategic management elements stood out for me. These helped further my understanding of management practice at both the macro- and micro-level: and brought the theory to life with real life examples”

What do you think to Leeds as a city for potential students?
Living in such a vibrant environment added to my personal confidence. Socially Leeds is a fantastic place to be. The combination of academic and social life makes for a really rounded experience, although ultimately success is down to personal drive and ambition.”

What would you say to others thinking about studying at Leeds?
LUBS provided me with a solid foundation for the career in consultancy I have now chosen. In work situations I am often reminded of things that I learnt at Leeds and I know that without that experience, I wouldn’t even have made it onto the first rung of the ladder.”

For more information on work placements take a look here, or find out about Jeremy’s course, BSc Economics and Management here.