Wheels turn for driven UCLan graduate Joe
A standout student who was the first undergraduate to be sent overseas to represent a huge global brand is celebrating after graduating from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
As part of his economics degree, Joe Rogers spent the sandwich year of his course working for Jaguar Land Rover in the Midlands. While there he impressed the bosses so much that he became the first undergraduate to be sent overseas to work for the company in New Jersey.
Joe, from Rainhill, was part of the procurement function of the company, working for an IT team who buy different parts for the cars. He said: “My time spent at Jaguar Land Rover was absolutely fantastic, it really confirmed for me that this is definitely what I want to do as a career."
"I am also the only undergraduate at Jaguar Land Rover that has ever been sent overseas to do this so I’m really grateful that I was given that opportunity."
“I was really lucky as the last part of my placement was out in Mahwah, New Jersey and I was sent there to implement new global purchasing initiatives for the company, which is normally a senior role. It was the best of both worlds as I got to work during the week and then explore and do all the tourist things at weekend, I loved it!
“I am also the only undergraduate at Jaguar Land Rover that has ever been sent overseas to do this so I’m really grateful that I was given that opportunity.”
Joe, who was inspired to study economics at University by his A Level teacher at Rainhill Sixth Form College, collected his first-class degree from UCLan last week.
But the 22-year-old, who has just won the John Coates Prize for Academic Excellence on a programme within the Division of Business, Economics and International Business, doesn’t seem to be hitting the brakes any time soon if his final year at University is anything to go off.
Jet-setter Joe visited Beijing with UCLan’s LaunchPad leadership development programme earlier this year and has also just returned from a six-week internship in Dubai.
"An economics degree at UCLan is one that opens a lot of doors. It gives you a chance to branch out and placements are really encouraged, which gives you the chance to experience a working environment first hand."
Now looking for roles in procurement or consultancy, Joe puts his academic success down to the lecturers at the University and LaunchPad.
Joe commented: “An economics degree at UCLan is one that opens a lot of doors. It gives you a chance to branch out and placements are really encouraged, which gives you the chance to experience a working environment first hand.
“The lecturers have been so supportive and I can’t thank them enough. I’ve already been offered a job in Warwick and I’ve had a couple of interviews with various recruiters, it’s all going really well and I can’t wait for what’s next.”
Joe was one of more than 4,000 students who graduated last week surrounded by family and friends at Preston’s Guild Hall.