Piyush’s Chester Made Story: How Chester shaped my journey through resilience, relationships and real-world experience

The Beginning of My Journey at Chester

My time at the University of Chester has been one of the most transformative journeys of my life. Moving to the UK as an international student in 2021, I came with ambition, but it was the environment at Chester Business School that truly shaped who I am today.

Unrivalled Support

What made my experience stand out was the level of support, guidance and genuine care from my tutors. They were not just there to teach, but to mentor, guide and uplift me throughout my journey. Over the four years, that consistent encouragement helped me grow in confidence, think more critically and push myself further than I initially thought possible.

Gaining Real‑world Experience

Alongside my studies in BA (Hons) Business Management (Entrepreneurship), I made a conscious effort to gain as much real-world experience as possible. I started my journey in the UK working as a Teaching Assistant in SEN schools, which helped me develop patience, adaptability and strong communication skills. From there, I became a Student Ambassador and Student Voice Representative at Chester Business School, where I had the opportunity to represent students, work closely with staff and contribute to improving the student experience.

A Turning Point: My Industrial Placement

My industrial placement at Tactical Solutions marked a turning point. What started as a placement role quickly became a pathway into the professional world, where I was trusted with real responsibilities and client exposure. At the same time, I continued balancing part-time roles and academic work, which taught me discipline and time management.

Four Years of Growth

Looking back, the past four years at Chester have been incredibly uplifting. The combination of academic learning, real-world exposure and strong personal support has played a huge role in shaping my confidence, direction and ambition.

Poster Photo

Seeing myself featured at Chester Business School was a proud and surreal moment. It represents how far I’ve come, from arriving as an international student to building confidence, gaining experience and shaping my future. It’s a reminder of the support and belief the university had in me throughout my journey.

A Graduation Day to Remember

This photo captures one of the most meaningful days of my life. Graduating wasn’t just about earning my degree, but about the journey itself; the sacrifices, growth and challenges along the way. Having my family there – especially my grandmother – made the moment even more special and unforgettable.

Being a Chester Graduate

Being a Chester graduate means being part of a community that genuinely supports and develops its students. The foundation I built there continues to influence how I approach both my career and future ambitions.

Life After Graduation

Since graduating, I have progressed into a National Account Manager role at Dee Set, part of the Acosta Group. In my current role, I manage a major FMCG client (Hallmark), working across a large national retail estate including Co-op stores. My role focuses on ensuring retail strategy is effectively delivered in stores across hundreds of locations, working closely with field teams, merchandising operations and retail partners.

What I enjoy most about my work is the scale and impact. Every decision has a direct influence on how a brand is represented across stores nationwide. It requires a combination of strategic thinking, relationship management and operational execution, all of which I began developing during my time at Chester.

Entrepreneurship and Future Ambitions

Alongside my corporate career, I am also leading the UK expansion of my family’s education business, Mi Education Hub, building on an already successful foundation in India. This reflects my long-term ambition within entrepreneurship and allows me to apply everything I have learned, both academically and professionally.

Reflecting on My Journey

What I am most proud of is the journey itself. From starting out in a completely new country, working in different roles, taking on opportunities and continuously pushing myself, to now managing national accounts and building a business, it has been a journey of growth, resilience and learning.