James Dewhurst - Graduate Case Study
James Dewhurst graduated in 2024 with a degree in Business with International Business Management. He now works as a Graduate Project Manager in the Infrastructure Team at Gleeds.
What does your graduate job or graduate scheme involve?
As a Graduate Project Manager within Gleeds’ Infrastructure team, I support the delivery of complex projects in the railway sector. My responsibilities include assisting with project planning, monitoring, and reporting to ensure scope, schedule, cost, and quality objectives are met.
I liaise with stakeholders such as Network Rail, contractors, and internal teams to maintain clear communication and resolve issues. I contribute to programme management by tracking milestones, identifying delays, and supporting recovery strategies. Commercially, I assist with cost reporting, budget tracking, and managing compensation events under NEC4 ECC contracts. I help maintain risk registers, support change control processes, and ensure compliance with contractual and safety requirements.
Additionally, I prepare client reports and presentations, maintain accurate documentation, and promote health, safety, and environmental standards. These responsibilities develop my technical and leadership skills while supporting successful project outcomes.
Why did you decide to apply for a graduate scheme?
I decided to apply for the Gleeds graduate scheme because I wanted to pivot my career from hospitality management into a role that better aligns with my degree in International Business Management. I was keen to join a company that values growth and development, and Gleeds stood out for its supportive culture and global opportunities.
A friend who works at Gleeds highly recommended the company, highlighting its collaborative environment and clear progression pathways. The chance to work on diverse projects, including international commissions, really appealed to me as it matches my ambition to build a dynamic and impactful career in project management.
Three things you like about your job
- Working on diverse projects across sectors - I enjoy the variety of projects I’m involved in, which allows me to gain exposure to different challenges and solutions within infrastructure and beyond.
- Delivering meaningful, impactful outcomes - I’m proud to contribute to projects that positively impact society, improving connectivity and enhancing communities.
- Growing my knowledge and leadership skills - I look forward to developing my technical expertise and building leadership capabilities as I progress through the graduate programme.
What did the application or selection process involve, and how did you prepare for each stage?
The application process began with submitting my CV and an initial phone screening. I was then invited to an assessment centre, which included creating and presenting a presentation, a one-to-one interview, and a group task assessed by a panel. The group exercise focused on teamwork and personality, which I found refreshing because Gleeds emphasised being authentic and showing your personality rather than just saying what you think they want to hear. This approach really stood out to me as it demonstrated the company’s commitment to finding people who fit their culture and values.
What help and support did you access from the Student Futures team?
I received periodic phone calls from the Student Futures team to check on my career progress and offer additional support if needed. I appreciated their availability, knowing that extra assistance was available to enhance the necessary employability skills I had developed through the modules in my degree. Those modules gave me confidence in areas like CV writing, interview preparation, and professional communication.
What relevant work experience, skills, volunteering or Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?
During the selection process, I drew on my professional experience in hospitality, particularly my placement year at The Grand, York, where I developed strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. I also highlighted my role as President of LJMU’s Golf Society, where I led two full playing squads and over 50 social members to achieve two promotions and win ‘Team of the Year.’ This experience gave me a solid foundation in leadership, teamwork, and strategic planning, which I was able to demonstrate throughout the assessment centre activities.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
My advice would be to truly understand and confidently articulate the skills you have. This ability to ‘sell yourself’ effectively is key to standing out. Every graduate possesses valuable skills that employers want, but many fall short in believing in themselves and presenting those skills clearly. Learning to appreciate your self-worth and having confidence in your abilities is crucial. When you can communicate your strengths authentically, you’ll make a stronger impression and significantly improve your employability.
Would you do anything differently in terms of your employability if you were a first-year student again?
If I were a first-year student again, I would focus on gaining more varied experience by exploring different roles and sectors through opportunities offered by the Business School and LJMU. Where I limited myself was by overcommitting to hospitality, which meant I had no real reference point when deciding whether to fully pursue that path or explore other industries. This made my route into a graduate scheme less conventional compared to my peers. Taking a broader approach early on would have helped me make more informed career decisions and strengthened my employability.
How has studying your specific degree subject at LJMU helped you to develop the skills, knowledge and experiences that will help you in your future career?
Studying Business with International Business Management at LJMU gave me a broad foundation across all key business disciplines. I developed skills in accounting and finance, understanding economic markets, and gained real-world insights into international business cultures and stakeholder management. Modules in marketing and strategy further strengthened my ability to think commercially and analytically. This breadth of knowledge means I can contribute effectively to a wide range of tasks within project teams, whether in project management or cost management. It has equipped me with adaptability and a strong understanding of how different business functions interconnect, which is invaluable in delivering successful projects.
Have you faced any challenges making the transition from university into work, and if so, how did you overcome these?
One of the biggest challenges I faced after graduating was adjusting to ‘normal life’ outside of university. Losing the close network of friends I had on my doorstep and adapting to a new routine definitely impacted my motivation and productivity. It took me around six months to fully come to terms with this new lifestyle and establish patterns that worked for me. Once I reached that point, I was able to make well-informed and meaningful decisions about my future. My advice to others would be to give yourself time to adapt and focus on building new routines and networks, it’s a transition, and that’s completely normal.
Support from the Student Futures team
If you want to talk about potential careers options with your degree, need help finding opportunities or want support with your CV, application forms or preparing for an interview, you can get advice and guidance by booking a 30-minute 1-2-1 careers meeting with a Careers and Employability Adviser from the LJMU Student Futures Team. You can also come along to a Careers drop-in or CV Café which take place weekly at the Careers Zones for quick careers queries.
If you are thinking about starting a business, freelancing, pursuing a side-hustle or have an idea that you want to explore further, email the Start-up Hub and a member of the team will be back in touch, or visit the Start-up Hub website.
For help finding part-time, temporary or casual you can fit around your studies, email the Unitemps team or visit their website.