Alumni Advice Alumni careers | University of Brighton Alumni Association

The Brighton Effect: A Transformative Experience

George Green graduated in English Language and Linguistics in 2014. Read his story in his own words: University was a transformative experience for me personally, academically and professionally. Even though it’s impossible to know an alternative universe where I did not go to university and how my life would have been if that were the…

Career is a personal journey – Jessica Revill Ph.D

Jessica Revill studied British Studies at Brighton Polytechnic in the 1980s. She shares her experiences and journey which has taken her to America and rural Australia: I have the distinction of coming bottom of my class British Studies BA (hons) 1984. I subsequently got a Master’s Degree in Psychology (California State University, Los Angeles, 1993)…

A career change towards sustainable architecture by alumnus Ewe Jin Low

Ewe Jin Low graduated in Architecture in 1983 and is now working with bamboo. Here is his story in his own words: ‘I was fortunate enough to work in a fast paced company in Arundel, Sussex after coming straight out of Brighton Polytechnic. We designed and built business parks in the hi-tech style of those…

Help three graduates with their new venture!

Harrison graduated with a BA Hons Law with Business degree in 2015. He’s now in the process of setting up a business with two other graduates. Read his story….. “After leaving the University of Brighton in 2015, I was a lot like most of my friends and classmates; I didn’t really know what I wanted…

How Dumbo inspired top fashion designer

Walt Disney’s big-eared elephant Dumbo is the inspiration for the latest collection from one of the UK’s leading fashion designers, Brighton-based Ong Oaj Pairam. Ong, who graduated from the University of Brighton with a BA(Hons) in Fashion and Business in 2008, is famed for his luxury women’s wear designs including his film premiere creation for…

Business School alumna lands the top role at Costa Coffee

A University of Brighton graduate has been appointed CEO of the US-owned coffeehouse chain Costa Coffee. Jill McDonald, who graduated in 1986 with a first in Business Studies BA(Hons), has enjoyed a meteoric career rise: she was Chief Executive of McDonald’s fast food chain, Head of Global Marketing for British Airways, Chief Executive of Halfords…

United Nations appoints Brighton graduate

A University of Brighton alumna has been appointed United Nations Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All. Damilola Ogunbiyi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency, has also been selected as Co-Chair of United Nations-Energy which promotes “coherence within the UN family of organisations in the energy field”. The appointments were…

The rise and rise of a Brighton graduate

A TV producer and director behind some of the UK’s biggest shows revealed today how his “invaluable” time at the University of Brighton helped kick-started his meteoric career journey. Winston Gallagher graduated with a Media degree in 2003 and has since worked with the likes of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and on some of…

The Brighton Effect: Hair of the Dog

Textiles graduate Jade Evans reveals how she’s creating home furnishings from dog hair as told to Alice Leader. “I grew up with long-haired German Shepherd dogs for pets and I remember their hair being everywhere. When you brushed them you’d end up with these massive bundles of hair. I’ve never forgotten that image, so when…

The Brighton Effect: Business with gumption

Design graduate Anna Bullus’s company recycles chewing gum waste into a range of new products –everything from frisbees and rulers to trainers and gumboots (naturally). Making products out of waste chewing gum is a brilliant solution to a sticky problem. How does it work? Our Gumdrop bins (above) are the first in the world specifically…