Christoforos Konstantinidis
Course studied: BSc Business Management with Finance with professional placement
Graduating year: 2017
What was your time at university like?
Short; that is how it felt. I wish I had more years at my university. I had a variety of subjects, met different people from all over the world, studied together and did so many activities.
What was the most memorable part of your university experience?
My speech as the student speaker. I remember the day like yesterday. The emotions, the self-reward, and the pride of talking in front of so many fellow colleagues and their families. It was such an honour.
What skills did you gain from your degree which have been particularly helpful in your career?
My degree gave me a holistic view of a business and how it is supposed to run. From Human Resources to raising capital. We studied all areas, and thus I could be involved in any meeting I had until now at work, whatever the discussion was.
What has your career journey been like since graduating?
As soon as I graduated I re-joined the Bank of England as I had an offer to join the Graduate program since I spent a year as an Industrial placement student. I was lucky enough to have this offer before entering my third and final year at University as the industrial placement takes place between your second and third year at university.
This privilege allowed me to take some risks; that is when I focused on building a few companies of my own. I spent nine months at the Bank before leaving to return to Cyprus where I had built my businesses. I now have three businesses of my own, that cover different industries.
What is your current job role and what does a typical day look like?
I am now running a Shooting Club, a co-working space and an advertising company. I start my day with my priorities; this could involve anything between preparing the shooting ranges ahead of a big competition or having an important meeting with a client about renting an office or buying an expensive gun.
I am always on the run as they are in different locations and I am constantly on the phone. Three to four times a week I will also spend my lunch break at the Olympic shooting clubs (in other cities) to prepare for upcoming shooting competitions in Olympic Trap. I will end my day with a visit to the gym, where I train daily 30-45 minutes.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Two things. Number one, the satisfaction of my customers; when I see that my advice or suggestion actually helps someone. Number two, on a more personal level, I am my own boss and I live every day depending on my own decisions.
How did your university experience and degree help you to secure your job/jobs?
I was blessed to have many opportunities. Studying at my university opened many doors for me, and it still does; people constantly ask me where I have studied.
I have obtained a broad knowledge of how a business works that allows me to move around positions and roles in a company. From being an assistant to a director, I had the knowledge and fundamentals to move forward.
What advice would you give students who are thinking of studying here?
Use your time, don’t waste it. Opportunities are given to the ones that are out there looking for them. Go to your lectures, connect with your colleagues and your lecturers. Go to the events organised in the evenings, socialise, network.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
My self-approval. Being able to say I tried my best every day and use every opportunity I have.
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