Simon West

Tell us about your degree - why did you choose it? What elements of the degree inspired you to study it?

After going to two interviews for a job in the same sector as I was currently working in, one level below my current position, to be told that even though I had 20 years worth of experience, that I did not have any qualifications. I decided that I would attain the best qualification I could within a 5 year time period to "stick it" to the interviewers. 

What was the best part of your studies here? What did you enjoy the most?

The various modules and the amount of support from my peers and tutors. 

What were your career aspirations when you arrived? Do you think the experience and skills you gained here will help/helped you in your future career plans? In what way?

To progress into a more well rounded manager who could make a positive and significant difference to my future employers. My degree has already helped, I gained promotion recently on the back of my hard work at my present company, coupled that they were impressed with my work ethic and reasoning for completing the course. 

How has your career progressed since leaving the Business School? Have there been any notable highlights?

I had detailed discussions with my immediate Director and the CEO. Together we created a dedicated personal improvement plan to expose me to different areas of the business, with a view of giving myself the best chance to progress in the company. 

Where are you currently working, and what is your role?

Elliot Hire. Project Manager. 

What are your ambitions for the future?

To move up to become a Director and then CEO/General Manager of the company. 

Do you think your experience and skills gained here will help you in your future career plans? In what way?

The biggest gain is that I have proved that I have a good work ethic and tenacity to achieve whatever I put my mind to. This will help me in many varied ways in the future. The various modules brought out different aspects which will help me in the future. To be exposed to areas such as Marketing, Strategic HR and Employment Law only added to my knowledge. 

What was your impression/experience of the facilities, the staff, your peers, the student union, the City of Leeds and the region itself? What would you recommend to future students?

I would wholeheartedly recommend the course to anyone and have done so already to family and colleagues. The staff are fantastic at helping you (without doing the work for you) and because of that you get a sense of accomplishment when you finish the course. the facilities are second to none, and the whole university is rightly viewed as one of the top Institutions in the U.K. 

What would you say is your defining memory of studying here? (eg friendships made, confidence in your abilities, or any single event that you will always remember?) And would you recommend the Business School to others? 

The realisation that I can achieve things that I thought were impossible when I was younger. To be 16 years old, sleeping on sofas and floors while travelling to my job, where I swept factory floors and around skips, to be able to take myself to University and achieve a 1st class honours degree is a satisfaction that I never thought possible.