Benedicte

Why did you choose to study your course at Surrey?

I chose the University of Surrey for its outstanding reputation in Business and HR Management, specifically its focus on integrating professional practice with academic excellence. I was looking for a program that offered CIPD accreditation and a curriculum that addressed the evolving complexities of the global workforce. The university’s consistent ranking for graduate employability was the deciding factor for me. 

What were the best things about your course and about Surrey?

Choosing Surrey for my MSc and CIPD Level 7 was a pivotal step in my professional development. The defining highlight of the course was the global diversity within the cohort; collaborating with international peers on strategic HR initiatives gave me a broader commercial mindset and perfectly mirrored the global scope of my career today. Beyond the academics, I loved Surrey's vibrant, community-centric campus. Having world-class resources like the library and excellent study spaces all within a beautiful, self-contained environment made it seamless to stay focused and inspired throughout a demanding Level 7 program.

What were the best things about life at Surrey as a postgraduate student?

As a postgraduate student, I truly valued the specialised support provided by the Employability and Careers team. 

Consultations with the team were a turning point for me; they gave me the insights needed to forgo an additional placement year and make the informed, confident decision to transition straight into the workforce post-graduation. Their tailored workshops and networking events were instrumental in helping me translate my academic learning into a strong professional brand.

Beyond the career support, there is a distinct sense of maturity and shared purpose within the postgraduate community at Surrey. Collaborating on complex projects alongside focused, like-minded peers made the entire experience incredibly rewarding and directly mirrored the collaborative dynamics of the corporate world.

What do you do now and what do you enjoy most about it?

I am currently an HR, People and Culture Generalist at STACK Infrastructure EMEA, a leading developer and operator of hyperscale data centres. 

What I enjoy most is that every single day is a learning day. As the data centre sector rapidly expands, we are constantly evolving with a heavy focus on environmental sustainability. 

A huge highlight of my role is supporting our most important stakeholders, our people. To do this effectively, I work closely and collaboratively with our Talent Acquisition, L&D, and Data & Transformation teams. Together, we navigate the unique cultural nuances of the EMEA region, educate the wider community from primary school children to retirees on what we do, and ultimately build a sustainable, inclusive workplace for the people powering the digital economy.

What is your advice for current students, for their time at Surrey and also if they want to get into your field of work?

Maximise your resources: don't just focus on your core modules. Actively use the career mentoring schemes, attend guest lectures from industry leaders, and engage with alumni’s on LinkedIn or the SurreyConnects alumni platform. Building these networks early is often what leads to your first major breakthrough.

Understand the 'business' of people: if you are looking to enter the people and culture field, my advice is to become a student of the industry you are entering. Whether it is tech, infrastructure, or finance, HR is at its most effective when you deeply understand core business operations. Stay curious, lead with empathy, and always look at the data behind the people.