Thanks to the depth and breadth of the thousands of courses available to study in Wales, our graduates showcase the incredible range of careers within your reach. No aspiration is too big, and no dream is unattainable. Our universities are here to support you, educate you, and celebrate you and all your successes.
Our global alumni community continue to inspire us every day. And if you’re looking for a little inspiration of your own, read more about our graduates who are thriving in their careers around the world…
Madhukar Reddy: MBA International Marketing graduate from Cardiff Metropolitan University
Madhukar Reddy graduated from Cardiff Met in 2003 with an MBA and is now Founder and CEO of Content HQ, based in Dubai.
During his career, Madhukar has worked with leading media groups in Bangalore, Mumbai, London and Dubai. He started his company five years after graduating from Cardiff, broadly inspired by his MBA dissertation on the economics of content.
When reflecting on his time as a student in Wales, Madhukar said:
“My experience of university life at Cardiff Met was outstanding- the relations, networking, meeting new people, travelling, exposure, juggling part-time jobs, studying, flat mates were great. It’s been many years and I’m still in touch with lot of classmates who have become great friends.”
Firouzeh Sabri: BSc Physics graduate from Swansea University
Firouzeh Sabri achieved a first in Physics at Swansea in 1995, going on to complete her PhD in Cambridge before turning down a job at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, instead accepting a position at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland in the US.
Passionate about education and inspired by her experiences as a student in Wales, Firouzeh is now the Chair of the University of Memphis’ Department of Physics and Materials Science - she’s the first woman to hold the position. Another fun fact about Firouzeh? Her work is still involved with the space program, after her contributions to the Mars rover programme saw the Phoenix Leader space probe assess the local habitability and understand the history of water on Mars.
Matthew Waskiewicz: MSc Urban and Regional Development graduate from Cardiff University
Matthew graduated from Cardiff University in 2017 with his Masters in Urban and Regional Development – he’s now an Associate Planner for the New York City Department of City Planning, working with communities to create a resilient economy in NYC.
Hailing from Hadley, Massachusetts, Matthew fell in love with Cardiff for its vibrant culture, rich history and bountiful green spaces. When visiting Wales during a six-week study-travel program, his exposure to the innovative initiatives on which partners at the Senedd, Cardiff University and practitioners in the private sector were collaborating on to catalyse economic growth and development in the region compelled him to return for further study.
“The University was tremendously supportive of me during my time at Cardiff University. Every step of the way, from when I first applied up to and past when I began my studies, I felt welcomed as a valued member of the Cardiff community.”
Nicole Evans: Masters in Advanced Performance Football Coaching graduate from University of South Wales
Anyone for a game of football? Or should we say, soccer?
Nicole completed her UEFA B alongside her Masters at USW, and is now Head Coach of three competitive academy teams in the United States. She also tutors university students who are studying to achieve their Bachelors in Football Coaching Development & Administration. The role sees Nicole travelling across the States, including Washington, California, North Carolina and beyond.
Nicole’s passionate about seeing the sport become more inclusive, and her top tips for women who aspire to work in the sporting industry are to:
“Step out of your comfort zone.
Fail sometimes, its ok.
Talk the game.”
Stefan Rahmstorf: MSc Physical Oceanography graduate from Bangor University
A Professor of Physics of the Oceans at Potsdam University since 2000, Stefan is a physicist and physical oceanographer by training and the Co-Head of the Research Department on Earth System Analysis of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).
Not only an outstanding and highly cited scientist, Stefan’s also a sought-after science communicator and speaker – he was the first scientist outside of the US to be awarded the Climate Communication Prize of the American Geophysical Union in 2017. In 2009, he was identified as one of the world's ten leading climate scientists by the Financial Times.
Oh, and he also happens to be the European climate scientist with the most Twitter followers!
Julian Bill: MEng Software Engineering graduate from Aberystwyth University
Julian graduated from Aberystwyth University in 1996 with an MEng degree in Software Engineering. He now works for YouTube in California.
A Group Product Manager at YouTube, Julian has prior experience working for tech giants Google and Pandora in the States. His degree in Software Engineering was the start of an impressive technical career and instilled engineering practices in him that are as valid now as they were when he studied in Aberystwyth.
When asked what advice he would give to students undertaking the same course now, Julian said:
“If you're passionate about what you do, embrace it and don't be afraid to show it. The happiest, most successful people in the Internet business are those that truly love what they do and can instil that passion in others.”
It’s motivating to see how much these former Welsh students have achieved during their careers, and what is still yet to come. But what about those first few steps after you graduate? ‘What’s next?’ is the big question posed by many of our young alumni, so it’s good to know that there is a world of possibilities waiting for you on the other side…
Joséphine Perret Du Cray: MSc Engineering (Aeronautical) graduate from Wrexham Glyndŵr University
Joséphine is 23, hailing from Paris. Studying her undergraduate degree in Engineering in France, she came to Wrexham and achieved her Masters in Aeronautical Engineering.
Having just graduated, Joséphine is now looking for an internship, and is feeling very optimistic – she’s in the process of applying with major international companies like Airbus, Safran & Dassault. And recruiters are taking a keen interest in both her technical knowledge that she developed during her time at Glyndŵr and her professional English skills, acquired from courses, projects and exchanges in an English-speaking university.
Speaking about her time at Glyndŵr, Joséphine said:
“My dissertation project was a major highlight. It was an ambitious project that was quite ‘outside of the box’; I worked on the design of a test aircraft for an internal R&D group at Glyndŵr. I was able to meet and work with passionate people who helped and guided me, and thanks to their constant support, I have achieved much more than I thought I could. It was a very rewarding year in many ways, and if I had to do it again, I definitely would!”
Whichever university you choose, you’ll find help and support long after you graduate. For instance, University of Wales Trinity St David provides alumni with unlimited access to careers services, organised networking opportunities to improve career prospects, access to events reunions and guest lectures; all to help alumni maintain lifelong connections with their university community.
Study in Wales and become part of the global community of Welsh alumni.
This is your future, and it starts here.
