Employability
Student and graduate success stories
Real stories of skills, experience and career success at the University of Leicester.
Student and graduate success stories
University of Leicester students gain access to careers support, work experience opportunities, placements, internships, student employment and professional development activities that help them prepare for graduate careers.
These case studies provide real examples of how Leicester students and graduates have used those opportunities to develop skills, build confidence and achieve their career ambitions.
Read how students from subjects including Engineering, Law, Marketing, Medicine, Economics and Journalism have combined their studies with practical experience to improve their employability and secure opportunities with leading organisations and graduate programmes.
Aaron, Economics
Aaron, an Economics student, developed essential employability skills through his involvement with the Students' Union, where he worked closely with fellow students to enhance their university experience.
By proactively utilising the Careers Service, Aaron was able to prepare himself for his future career, eventually securing an auditing job at PwC. His success highlights how seeking support and applying acquired skills can lead to impressive career achievements.
Ola, Marketing
Ola honed her career readiness through multiple roles, including content creation for the Careers and Employability Service and leading social media initiatives within the Students’ Union.
As a Marketing student, these experiences allowed her to apply her course knowledge in real-world settings, furthering her career development. This hands-on experience helped Ola successfully apply for further study, progressing her career and academic journey.
Shahla, Medical Physiology
Shahla, took a proactive approach to her career by securing an industrial placement as part of her degree.
During this placement, she gained invaluable insight into the opportunities within higher education, working with the marketing and recruitment team. Shahla applied this knowledge to secure a graduate job at EY, demonstrating the impact of practical experience and strategic career planning on future success.
Sara, Geology
Sara, adapted her employability skills through part-time work across various university departments, ultimately securing a place on a graduate programme in student support.
As an international student, Sara built her confidence by networking with people from diverse backgrounds within the University and the wider city community. This experience helped her develop both personal and professional skills, preparing her for life after graduation.
Tendo, Law
Tendo made the most of his time at Leicester and developed his legal expertise and professional skills through a range of experiences. While studying Law, he worked for the Careers and Employability Service, helping fellow students understand how to enhance their employability.
And as a member of the Pan-African Law Society, he strengthened his communication, leadership, and networking abilities. This dedication and proactive approach paid off, and he successfully secured a training contract with Herbert Smith Freehills, launching his legal career with a leading global firm.
Aysha, Medicine
Aysha balanced her medical studies with valuable work experience, helping students access support from the Careers and Employability Service. Through this role, she developed strong interpersonal and communication skills that complemented her medical training.
The opportunity to connect with people and manage responsibilities beyond her studies helped strengthen her confidence in patient care.
Now, she is pursuing her goal of becoming a GP, using both the clinical knowledge and transferable skills she gained at university to build a successful career in medicine.
Jahnavi, Engineering
Jahnavi, an Engineering student, made the most of her time at Leicester by working with the Careers and Employability Service, helping fellow students access resources that support their career development.
Her academic skills, combined with the hands-on experience she gained in her role, helped her to secure a highly competitive industry placement at Bentley Motors. This opportunity not only applied the knowledge from her course but also helped her refine the practical skills needed for a successful career in Engineering.
Eleanor, Journalism
Eleanor chose the University of Leicester for its engaging journalism course and the warm, welcoming campus community. Since starting her studies, she’s been immersed in real-world journalism experiences—honing her skills in reporting, writing, and media production.
Beyond the classroom, Eleanor is an active contributor to the Leicester Student Magazine, where she’s sharpening her storytelling abilities and building an impressive portfolio that will lay the foundation for a successful career in journalism.
Kaashi, History
University life has helped Kaashi develop essential skills in time management and critical thinking, preparing her for a variety of career paths. Her experience has also boosted her confidence and independence.
As a member of the Hindu Society, she formed strong friendships and stayed connected with her culture, making Leicester feel like home.
Zuowei, Management, Finance and Accounting
Zuowei found the practical structure of his course invaluable for his career aspirations in China. Gaining proficiency in STATA software allowed him to conduct quantitative analysis, strengthening his confidence in job applications.
Outside of academics, he joined the badminton society, which helped him build friendships and immerse himself in student life.
Shahd, Cloud Computing
Despite already holding a Bachelor's degree, Shahd found her postgraduate studies at Leicester to be a transformative experience that significantly deepened her knowledge.
As a course representative, she developed strong communication skills and took on the responsibility of voicing student feedback to the department—enhancing both her leadership and interpersonal abilities.
Faith, Accounting and finance
Faith’s course is providing her with a broad understanding of the finance industry and equipping her with essential skills for her chosen career path. With plans to pursue an ACCA qualification and a particular interest in Financial Advisory and Assurance, she is determined to become a chartered accountant.
Her time at Leicester, combined with the experience she gained as an Audit Intern, has laid a solid foundation for her professional aspirations—ensuring she’s ready for the next step in her journey.
Ready to build your future career?
Explore the University of Leicester Careers and Employability Service and discover how we can help you gain experience, develop skills and achieve your ambitions.