Asam Mahmood: BSc Business Decision Management

Asam Mahmood

BSc Business Decision Management, 2003

"I am a Sales Executive and Editor of a student magazine."

Three years ago, Asam Mahmood from Hemel Hempstead, wasn’t sure if university life was for him and wondered if his A Level grades were good enough to secure a place on a degree programme.

Today the 23-year-old from Hemel Hempstead town centre works as high flying sales executive and is Editor of a student magazine, thanks to better-than-expected A Level results, which prompted him to call the University’s Clearing Hotline and enrol on a BSc in Business Decision Management.

“That phone call to the University really changed my life,” said Asam. “The clearing team was really helpful and explained everything to me in detail."

“I was going to apply for an HND but they told me my grades were good enough to be accepted on to a degree programme. I was very apprehensive because I was the first person in my family to consider going to university, so I wasn’t entirely sure how it all worked.”

The highlight of his degree was researching for his dissertation in his final year, which focused on the business theory behind boxing promotions. Asam got the chance to interview several top names in the boxing world including Frank Warren and Audley Harrison.

“My dissertation was so enjoyable,” he said. “I wanted to look at boxing as a business rather than a sport and I was delighted that Frank Warren and Audley Harrison gave up their time to speak to me.”

It was during this period that Asam realised he had a flair for writing and after placements with The Sunday Telegraph, The Times and The Observer, decided to set up Youth - a monthly student magazine. In addition, he is waiting to hear if he has been accepted on to a graduate journalism scheme with a national newspaper.

Asam added: “My degree gave me an excellent grounding in business and made me realise I had a talent for writing. My experience has inspired my younger brother to do a degree – he is currently studying Law.”

Interview took place in 2005.