James Murray

James Murray, from Essex, completed an MSc in International Business Marketing and HR Management in 2010.

Why did you choose to study at Dundee?

I had previously started up a business in Dundee, but felt it prudent to formalise the skills I had learnt while being self-employed. An MSc at Dundee was cost-effective, and its School of Business is respected around the world.

What is the best thing about your course and why?

The international student mix really helps with your communication skills. The course itself was interesting and challenging.

What information do applicants need to know before starting this course?

The course structure is quite flexible but does cross over with a lot of first year and fourth year modules run in Economics. To that extent the course is more a conversion course for non-economists, but also delivers some excellent challenges in communication, presentations and written group work.

What has been your best learning experience to date and why?

I excelled in International Business Strategy because you can see that business has not changed one tiny bit over possibly hundreds of years. There's still supply and demand, but the way you meet people's needs, together with the increased competition has forced economists to develop strategy models which assist in both marketing and business development. I apply those models to my work today.

What has been your best university experience and why?

Meeting so many different people from all over the world has invigorated and informed my thinking.

What sports activities or clubs/societies are you involved with?

I worked for the Enterprise Gym, which promotes business enterprise and entrepreneurialism. I also mentored the Dundee Erasmus European Exchange Network, and managed to improve my shooting enough in 9 months to get into the Men's 1st team in the Dundee Clay Shooting Club!

What are you doing now?

I'm now working full time for the Enterprise Gym as the Enterprise Administrator for the University of Dundee. My job is to inform students about self-employment and what resources there are to help. The other side of my job is to assist businesses in starting up within the University by providing competitions, office space, promoting events and our new up and coming international programme. I spend most of my time organising conferences, co-ordinating my team of 7 and doing as much as I can to encourage people to evolve their thinking in terms of employment.