Graduate Profiles Detail United Kingdom

Ilyas works in the fast-moving world of corporate and private event management for a tourism company based in the picturesque city of Bath. Ilyas is responsible for overseeing all stages of event organisation, from sales through to execution, where he will bring together whole itineraries of engaging activities, including paintballing, boat trips, wine-tasting, and party events at the best venues regionally.

I love the huge variety the job brings. Every day is different because in the events industry, every activity is different and bespoke to what the client wants, and you really don't know what challenges it is going to bring. You definitely have to be able to think on your feet, and use creative problem-soling to deal with the inevitable curveballs that come your way in terms of last-minute changes!

I also get to visit all the wonderful places across the country where we run our events. I meet suppliers, look at venues and plan itineraries. I love this travel part, for me this is like killing two birds with one stone, as I meet a range of people, and really get to see the UK!

My course gave me a great understanding of working culture in the UK. Everything I learned was delivered from the perspective of how things are done in the UK. For example, a large focus of my course was media and broadcasting, and we were taught in terms of how the broadcast system works in the UK, how reporting is delivered, and how to work in a UK production team. I was able to take this with me into events management. It was a great preparation for working effectively in a fast-moving business environment in the UK.

The careers team at UWE were instrumental in terms of helping me to get into a career in the UK. They guided me through how the application process works, and what employers are looking for, and I received invaluable feedback for my CV in terms of how to tailor it for the UK job market.

Be smart in your job search. Don’t simply confine yourself to one job title, look at the industry as a whole. In my industry, there are lots of opportunities, but don’t simply search ‘event manager’. Search by keywords, search ‘events’ and this will pull up so many more related opportunities. Remember, your number one objective is to use the period after graduation to gain experience, and to get a foot in that industry. So be flexible in terms of the roles you consider.

Also, prepare well for interviews in terms of doing your research, but, at the same time, remember to be authentic. Don’t be too scripted. Let the interviewer see the real you, and why you are so passionate about getting into that industry. Employers are really keen to see a genuine interest.