Bright Ifeanyi

Marketing, Advertising & PR - BA (Hons)

After being out of education for five years, Bright knew it was the right time to return. Returning was one thing; but making the right choice was very important to him. Bright owns and run his own events company. His main goal is to use our marketing degree to bridge the gaps in his knowledge to take his business to the next level.

“When I was younger, I wanted to work in the legal sector. At the age of 18, I got admission to study Law and Criminology, but I ended up deferring which led to many years out of education. During these years, I started gaining different experience which eventually resulted in me getting into marketing, event promotion and product branding. It came naturally to me, and that was when I decided I could make it a career. I set up my own events company and, I have been able to gradually grow it. But I feel like there are still many gaps in my knowledge and studying a Marketing degree with BCU has allowed me to improve my understanding.

I am rather lucky to have a business to apply all the knowledge I learn to. The course, the staff, the extra-curricular opportunities are all allowing me to develop my marketing brain in some way. I  take away something from every lecture, seminar, meeting or experience and apply it to my business.

There is a range of support offered across the Uni, but my biggest support has come from my lecturers. All of my lecturers have a high level of industry experience, so they make sure that we’re ‘work ready’ and prepared to take on the real world of marketing. They present us with wonderful opportunities, educational trips and also help us with our CVs. Our lecturers have an endless network of people they know from industry and, sometimes, they will invite in top professionals as guest speakers to talk about their journey; this has really inspired me to achieve more.

My motivation since the start of my first year, was when one of my lecturers (and director of the course) said to us, that we as people, need to ‘tell our individual stories’, and that ‘everyone’s story is different, and that makes us unique’. These words stuck with me and they push me to continue working hard and market myself. Being taught by staff who care for you and motivate you constantly makes you want to achieve even more and get involved.

I have had to make a lot of sacrifices, and I went through a lot to get here, so returning to education is one of the best achievements in my life. Since being a part of BCU, I am really proud of myself and my accomplishments so far. At the end of my first year, the University awarded me the joint best Marketing student of the year. I was awarded this because of my academic success and also because of my achievements in numerous extra-curricular activities. It just goes to show that hard work really does pay off.

To me, I AM BCU is an opportunity for students like me to share our journeys, our time at Birmingham City University and the impact our courses have had on our professional growth. I have been inspired while reading other students’ I AM BCU profiles  they have encouraged me to go out and accomplish more.”