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From Dundee to London: James’s journey into Project Management
James graduated in 2025, his time provided valuable opportunities from studying abroad in San Francisco to completing an internship, experiences that helped shape his path to a graduate role with Hitachi Rail in London
Published on 22 September 2025
My name is James Downey, and I graduated from the University of Dundee School of Business in 2025 with a 2:1 in Business Management. As a mature student already living in Dundee, I decided to return to education to build a meaningful career. Today, I’m based in London, having just started as a Bids & Project Management Graduate with Hitachi Rail.
Why I Chose the School of Business
Before starting at the University of Dundee, I was working in unfulfilling jobs where I couldn’t see a long-term future for myself. I knew I needed to make a change, and the School of Business gave me that opportunity. The Business Management degree appealed to me because it was broad and flexible, covering areas such as marketing, strategy, leadership, and digital innovation. For someone looking to change direction and build a career, that range of options was invaluable.
Opportunities and experiences
The degree was only part of the experience. Dundee gave me the chance to study abroad in San Francisco, which broadened my perspective and taught me how to adapt to new environments. I also took part in enterprise challenges and joined societies, which helped me develop teamwork, leadership, and communication skills outside the classroom.
Alongside this, I completed a marketing internship that allowed me to put what I was learning into practice in a professional environment. These experiences gave me confidence and provided examples I could use in applications and interviews, experiences that proved just as valuable as the degree itself.
My Career Journey
Since graduating, I have moved to London to join Hitachi Rail’s graduate programme in Bids & Project Management. It’s an exciting first step, giving me the chance to work on impactful projects while continuing to learn and develop as part of a global company.
Advice for students
My advice is simple: say yes and take part. If an opportunity will add something to your CV, give you a story to share in an interview - do it. Every experience builds, and those small steps can shape your career path in ways you won’t expect.