Bevin Baby

Tell us about your degree - why did you choose it? What elements of the degree inspired you to study it?
People analytics was a new concept for me and I always had the plan of doing a masters in a niche rather than a general MBA. This course was only offered in the UK by Leeds University Business School and one other university, but I chose Leeds because of the Russell Group ranking and the course modules. People Analytics is considered as a must have capability for managing people because all decisions (effective) are data driven (metric). 

What was the best part of your studies here? What did you enjoy the most about your course? For example, the facilities, staff, peers, course content etc.
I liked the self-paced learning structure at Leeds University Business School. The course itself was accredited by CIPD, which was an added advantage. I thoroughly enjoyed the professional development curriculum led by Lecturer Marianne Savory. She was an amazing mentor during my time at Leeds. I also enjoyed an additional course/module I enrolled in called HIP (HRM in Practice), which helped me build real-world professional skills like project management, negotiation skills, and handling difficult conversations. 

The most memorable moment for me was the International Study Trip to Switzerland, where I visited companies like Bühler, Schindler, and Manpower Group, which taught me commercial acumen, cross-cultural competencies, and professional development.

What was your impression/experience of the student union, the city of Leeds and Yorkshire? Did you do any extracurricular activities during your studies? How did you enhance your personal development? What would you recommend to future students?
I ran for LeadLUU 2022, the annual leadership race/election for the position of International Postgraduate Officer. I finished second with a total of 1,173 votes out of 5,801 voters in the university. This was a core memory I had with the student union. I also became the School Representative and Class Representative for the Business School, which was an additional responsibility I took on to improve the student experience in my cohort. I also actively took part in the digital education service of the university as an ambassador to improve university digital education systems, online blended learning, engagement and communications. I am also proud to have been part of a Better Forum committee group that implemented a 24-hour library policy by the time I left the university.

I would recommend future students take an active part in extracurricular and skill building activities because, as a recruiter, I would look for attributes like leadership and professional skills, proactiveness and drive to achieve things, and result-driven experiences in candidates. I would also suggest that you make a vision board of what you want to achieve during your tenure at Leeds, which you can then add to your CV upon completion of the course.

How was the transition to living and studying in a different country? Did the university offer support or services that you found helpful? Can you offer any advice?
Managing everything on your own, from cooking to part-time jobs, was expected when I transitioned to Leeds. However, the university had services like the student union, joblink, societies, and university accommodation support services that helped me have a smooth transition. My advice would be to make the most of your time in Leeds. This is going to be a core memory of your life, so balance both your personal and academic journey equally.

How did your experiences at Leeds University Business School help you to advance your career?
My experience at Leeds was a career defining moment for me. More than the value of the course I did, I was able to build professional skills like business acumen, problem solving skills, framework thinking, leadership skills, communication most importantly networking skills.I would account all of the extra curiculars I did during that year helped me shape who I am today in my career.

How has your career progressed since leaving the Business School? Have there been any notable highlights?
Since leaving the Business School, i joined a global management consulting firm as recruiter. I am now currently with an investment research firm leading the recruitment for early careers in Hong Kong and Pan-asia.

What are your ambitions for the future?
I would ideally want to start a business venture, or an agency of my own handling my own projects and generating revenue. This could be something in recruitment or something i am passionate about.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to work in a similar role or industry to you?
Be open to working in a fast-paced environment, have good time management and project management skills, and, more importantly, focus on KPIs and metrics. If you are looking to get into recruitment and love talking to people, helping them realise their potential, and changing people's lives one profile at a time, then you will find this industry exciting.

What would you say is your defining memory of studying here? (For example, friendships made, confidence in your abilities, or any single event that you will always remember?) And would you recommend the Business School to others?
My most defining memory was when my mom said that she was proud of me, and my dad pushed me to run for the LeadLUU elections. The lasting friendship I made also adds to this beautiful memory. I would recommend Leeds University Business School to anyone looking to step out of their comfort zone and unlock their full potential.

What advice would you give to students to help them get the most out of their time in Leeds?
Make sure you journal things down and keep track of all the email communications from the university. I understand things can get overwhelming during the initial months, but take things slowly, one step at a time. Just show up for things and create your own story.