From the rink to the classroom: My Graduate Apprenticeship journey

My name is Struan Davie and I am studying towards my Business Management (Graduate Apprenticeship) BSc (Hons) at the University of Dundee. I am pursuing my degree through the graduate apprenticeship pathway, allowing me to work towards my undergraduate degree whilst gaining invaluable industry experience working full-time simultaneously. This has shaped the beginning of my higher education journey in a unique way.

I completed my secondary school education at Strathallan School, where I grew enormously academically and built strong relationships with my peers, teachers, and other members of staff. Once I finished at Strathallan, I became a full-time summer intern with a property investment firm in Glasgow, which further sparked my interest in real estate appraisal and finance. This rewarding experience of working full-time in a firm right after high school confirmed my goal: to earn a degree while gaining hands-on industry experience. The graduate apprenticeship pathway offered at the University of Dundee was the perfect fit for achieving that goal.

Balancing work and study

I currently work as a digital media coordinator for the Dundee Stars, alongside the UK’s premier Elite Ice Hockey League – where I have had the opportunity to travel across the country to lead digital campaigns and create authentic media to engage audiences and strengthen our brand both locally and beyond.

Improving my organisation and time management has been vital in my first year of undergrad. Ensuring that I give sufficient time to both work and study has been challenging at times, as working in the spectator sports industry is often unpredictable, fast-paced, and requires adaptability to schedule changes at short notice. This experience, however, has granted me the opportunity to invest in my future and grow both personally and professionally.

My experience with my lecturers thus far has been great and extremely personable, and the support provided by the graduate apprenticeship team has been tremendous, as they are conscious of the work commitments that students are balancing whilst studying for our full-time degrees. This approach places a strong emphasis on independent study, often during evenings and weekends. However, it has been an extremely rewarding experience that has allowed me to take ownership of my studies and prioritise my academic work to get the most out of what is taught in classes and lectures.

Personal insights and aspirations

I am a strong believer that motivation comes from a willingness and drive to constantly learn, whether I am at work, in lectures, or studying towards deadlines. Knowing that this opportunity will better my professional development and allow me to continue my personal growth outside of the classroom inspires me to get as much out of the programme as possible.

Working within the field of marketing, I have already learnt material in class that is directly transferable to my work, and I have had the opportunity to discuss this further with my lecturers and apply it to practical assessments, such as a consultancy project towards the end of this semester. Seeing a direct link between academic learning and industry experience has made my first year even more enriching, and I look forward to studying modules including corporate finance and global trade in year two to enhance my interest in economics.

Looking ahead

I am excited at the prospect of continuing my undergraduate degree and fostering meaningful relationships with my classmates and lecturers. Having already spoken to my lecturers about specific postgraduate programmes, my aim is to specialise in the field of economics at Master’s level. I believe the industry experience that I am gaining alongside my undergraduate study will offer me a different perspective when enrolling in a Master’s programme, allowing me to bring unique conversations into the classroom and lean on the experience I am gaining now to leverage my academic success.

I am extremely grateful to both the University of Dundee and the Dundee Stars organisation for their support and this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing my academic journey and taking strides that will stand me in good stead for both future academic and professional opportunities.