Business BA/BSc(Hons): After you graduate
What our graduates say
Check out what our graduates have gone on to do and how studying at Kingston helped them achieve their goals.
Former student: Helen Rothery
Course: Chemistry with Business BSc(Hons)
Year of graduation: 1990
Current job: Technical sales, Thor Specialities (UK) Ltd
Location: Cheadle, Cheshire
Helen decided to study chemistry with business and enjoys working with both elements of her degree. Helen also does voluntary work for a charity called Reuben and Friends and has written a poetry book called Vision of Hope on its behalf.
"Chemistry was my main interest at school and there were several things about the degree at Kingston that appealed to me. Firstly, the fact that it offered the chance to study as a joint honours with business appealed to me. I felt this provided a broad spectrum of options and would enable me to pursue a career in the technical or commercial field. I also liked that it offered a sandwich year in industry, which I thought would be very useful.
"More generally, I was attracted by the University's location. Coming from the Yorkshire countryside, I fancied being close to London and having a completely new experience.
"Once I had settled on the course, I made friends and really enjoyed myself. Looking back, I wish I could do it all again. For me the best thing about being at Kingston was the atmosphere. I was with a really good bunch of people who made it very special. Everyone got on really well and we worked hard and played hard.
"I graduated in 1990, which was a difficult time to find a job so initially I worked providing technical and sales support in a computer department. However, I really wanted to work in chemistry and in '92 I got a job with Rohn & Hass, a big American manufacturer of acrylics. This was in technical sales and I have remained in the field ever since.
"I now work for Thor Specialities selling preservatives called biocides, which go in products such as paint or adhesives. I work with chemistry everyday. I might be looking into problems such as the viscosity of paint or explaining both the technical and commercial side of the company's products, in short what a product does and how it works, and this calls on both my chemical and business expertise.
"The thing I enjoy most about my work is the variety – every day is different. I may have to communicate with someone with a PhD in chemistry or with very little technical knowledge. I sell to a whole range of different industries, manufacturing anything from shampoo to drilling fluid. So one of the most useful elements of my degree has been the wide range of subjects it encompassed.
"If you are considering this course my advice is go for it. It opens you up to lots of possibilities and gives you the opportunity to choose from a variety of career paths."
Where this course will take you
Studying business as a joint honours subject will open up a range of career options in addition to those offered by your other field.
The business field will equip you with knowledge of the business world and a set of skills that will enhance your employment prospects. You may take the opportunity to specialise in particular areas (such as marketing or finance) or choose to study a range of issues that will enable you to keep your career options more open.
Many graduates go on to study for postgraduate degrees and professional qualifications.
