Joe Goldstone

Joe graduated from Aber in 2003 with a BA in German and Business Management. He now works as a Marketing Director for an international company.

What do you remember most about your time at Aber?

The walk up Penglais - particularly painful for an early lecture after a late night in February; the people - friends and academics both; the feeling of coming out of the hills and down into the Ystwyth valley on the A44 after the never-ending drive - the sense of independence and isolation is unforgettable.

What are you doing now career-wise and how has your Aberystwyth degree helped?

I am working in the US marketing division of a global manufacturer of healthcare products in Charlotte, North Carolina. I joined the company in New York in 2006 and spent 2013 to 2017 at its manufacturing headquarters in Germany. The academic benefit of my degree in German and Business is obvious, not to mention the experience I gained working in Germany during my year abroad. But the real difference maker is the human side of my degree - the knowledge that something can be learned from every person in a lecture hall or classroom, not just the lecturer/tutor, but fellow students with differing opinions and backgrounds - has been a huge benefit within my career. Dr Wini Davies deserves particular recognition for that.

What advice would you have for a student doing your course now?

Two things - make sure you listen more than talk. To everyone. We can all be so desperate to get our opinion or message across that we miss out on so much that can be gained from others. And do everything you can to maximize your year abroad - my experiences, professionally, academically and personally have played a huge part in getting me where I am today.