Ibrahim finds professional growth through education

29 July 2025

After years of professional experience across several industries, Ibrahim Gazi made the decision to return to education - a move that would reshape not only his career but how he saw himself in the workplace.

Born and raised in Greenwich, South East London, Ibrahim is the son of Turkish Cypriot parents who relocated to the UK in their youth. Early on, he prioritised working over studying.

“I’ve been working since I was 13,” he said. “When I started college, I chose income over education. At the time, financial gain seemed more important.”

Over the years, he built a broad and hands-on career in food manufacturing, distribution, restaurants, radio broadcasting, and later, the security industry. But eventually, he recognised a gap in his understanding of how businesses operated - particularly the financial side - and decided it was time to do something about it.

“I chose to study Business Management because I wanted to better understand the way companies run and to develop the skills I lacked - especially when it came to reading financial data, writing reports, and presenting professionally.”

Enrolling at UWTSD London as a mature student, Ibrahim brought with him a deep well of real-world experience, which he used to make the most of his time at university.

“I didn’t just want the degree on paper. I used the course to plan out my next steps properly - looking at how I could apply what I was learning in real time to the work I was already doing.”

For Ibrahim, the course’s biggest benefit was practical - learning how to understand budgets, speak confidently in meetings, and structure his communication more professionally. He treated every module and assignment as a way to refine how he worked. “Everything I submitted was based on real-life scenarios,” he said. “That helped me connect the theory with what was actually happening in my job.”

Juggling academic work, full-time employment, and a personal life came with challenges, but with careful planning and strong discipline, he kept things moving.

“There were times it felt overwhelming. But I knew why I was doing it, and that helped me stay focused. I’ve always been organised, but the course took that to another level. I also got better at asking for help when I needed it.”

That persistence paid off sooner than expected. Midway through his studies, Ibrahim transitioned out of the security industry and into a new role in property management -thanks, in part, to the changes people around him had started to notice.

“A client I’d worked with for years saw the difference in how I carried myself. They knew I wanted to move into a new field, and they offered me a promotion. It was a turning point.”

Now graduating with a first class honours in Business Management from UWTSD’s London campus, Ibrahim is continuing his career in property management and already thinking about what’s next.

“I’m aiming to do an industry-specific qualification and maybe a master’s down the line. I surprised myself with how far I’ve come - and I want to keep testing my limits.”

Ibrahim believes the course is a strong fit for those with clear ambitions. “If you want to manage a business or move into a leadership role, this course will definitely help. It’s not easy - especially if you’re returning to education after a long break - but the effort is worthwhile in the end.”

Reflecting on the journey, he adds:

“Each year, I doubted whether I’d get through it. But I kept going, and here I am. My advice? Have a plan, stay patient, do the work, and give yourself the chance to look back and see how much you’ve grown.”