Launching his own coffee business may seem a world\naway from Music and Media Management, but James Rhys says the skills he learned\nat university have proved vital in his new venture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James chose to study at the University of\nGloucestershire in 2009, as he was far enough away to live independently, and\nclose enough to friends and family in the valleys of South Wales. \u201cI was also\nreally impressed by The Park campus and Cheltenham,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James graduated in 2013, but says the bonds he developed\nwhile studying have continued to grow stronger over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have a great support network around me that I\nmet while at university, who have been a massive help in navigating the world\npost-graduation,\u201d he said. \u201cThis includes my former lecturers, such as Bob\nGorznynski, who has been a continued source of friendship, support and advice,\n10 years on from my first lectures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James has now established his own business, Farm\nBoy Brews, which he set up after moving to Scotland several years ago. His new\ncoffee brand, launched in Dumfries and Galloway, combines his passion for good\ncoffee and an aim to support mental health charity, Tiny Changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James went into farming after leaving university,\nbut after a particularly challenging lambing season, decided that he needed a\nfresh start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although he still has a few sheep, he launched Farm\nBoy Brews on Mental Health Awareness Day in 2019, with a percentage of profits\ngoing to charity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe business management and\nmarketing tools I learned on the course are coming in really handy now that I’m\nstarting a new business!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And James would also recommend\nthrowing yourself into university life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLooking back on my time at\nuniversity now makes me realise how much I did learn, the great memories and\nfriendships I have come away with, and new skills I developed (like picking up\na new sport in lacrosse).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlso, I would say get out and get\nany and all practical experience that you can in your chosen field. Coming out\nwith a good balance of a good degree and practical experience will stand you in\ngood stead for the \u2018real world.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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