Llanelli Graduate Celebrates Degree Success and Prestigious Business Prize
When 21-year-old Kayleigh Thieme graduates this week from the 密桃传媒鈥檚 Carmarthen Campus, she will do so with not only a BA in Business Management but also as the proud recipient of the prestigious Business and Management Prize

Kayleigh, from Llanelli, has been recognised for her outstanding commitment, resilience, and academic performance throughout her studies. The award acknowledges her consistent dedication to achieving excellent results, as well as her active and engaged participation in lectures.
Business and Management lecturer, Anthony Burns, says: 鈥 Congratulations to Kayleigh on being awarded the Business and Management Prize. It is thoroughly deserved. She is a conscientious and hard working student who will do well in a fast-moving business HR environment. I wish her well for the future鈥.
Kayleigh has worked since the age of 16 and successfully balanced her academic journey with a part-time role at McDonald鈥檚, where she has recently been promoted to shift manager. Her choice to study at UWTSD was inspired by her sister, who is also a graduate of the Carmarthen Campus.
鈥I chose to study at UWTSD as my older sister graduated three years ago and spoke highly of the university, specifically the Carmarthen Campus,鈥 says Kayleigh. 鈥淎fter visiting on an open day, I knew instantly that I wanted to study here 鈥 everyone was so positive and welcoming, and the atmosphere was lovely.鈥
Her decision to pursue Business Management was driven by real-world experience. I chose this course after working in two different companies from the age of 17鈥, she says. 鈥淚 noticed a big difference between how each company was run and how staff were treated. This sparked an interest in business and management, specifically this course, as it contains many aspects regarding sustainability, which plays a big part within business and its future and is important to me personally鈥.
Kayleigh鈥檚 dream initially was to work within the field of Human Resources but has recently been promoted to shift manager at McDonald鈥檚 where she has worked alongside her University studies and hopes to continue to make progress in her career.
鈥I have a deeper interest in management and how every organisation can not only help themselves but also the future of the planet,鈥 she explains. 鈥淚 owe so much to this course and my lecturers, as I have learnt so much not only about business and management but also about myself and my future ambitions. This is all due to the amazing support I鈥檝e received鈥.
Among the highlights of her time at UWTSD were an educational placement with Carmarthenshire County Council鈥檚 Social Enterprises department, and her dissertation on the impact of technology and AI in the hospitality sector 鈥 research that tied in directly with her experience at McDonald鈥檚.
She says: 鈥There were many different experiences throughout my time at UWTSD that I was fortunate to participate in; however, there are two that stand out for me.
鈥淒uring the second year, I was able to complete a three-month placement with Carmarthenshire County Council in the Social Enterprises department. This was extremely beneficial for me, as I gained confidence and so much knowledge, such as social enterprises, the circular economy, and effective communication. The second experience was completing my dissertation, which was titled 鈥淎n investigation into how the hospitality sector is adapting to new technology and AI鈥. I chose this research as it combined several units throughout my course and my time working in McDonald’s. I completed this research by conducting interviews with members of staff from McDonald’s in order to receive honest and effective information. I was guided by my tutor, Anthony Burns, throughout this project by receiving feedback, advice and motivation鈥.
Despite the challenges of managing assignments and work commitments, Kayleigh credits the course with significantly improving her organisational skills and preparing her for career advancement.
鈥密桃传媒ing while working has allowed me to apply my university learning directly to the workplace 鈥 and vice versa,鈥 she says. 鈥McDonald鈥檚 has a strong focus on sustainability, which really complemented my academic work. The course not only supported my professional development but has also laid the foundation for future career growth.鈥
Looking ahead, Kayleigh is continuing her academic journey and has enrolled on UWTSD鈥檚 MBA in Sustainability Leadership on a part-time basis 鈥 all while continuing her role as shift manager.
鈥淚鈥檇 definitely recommend this course to others,鈥 she adds. 鈥淚t鈥檚 given me a strong knowledge of business, management and sustainability 鈥 all essential for the future. I鈥檓 excited about what comes next.鈥
Further Information
Eleri Beynon
Head
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: e.beynon@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 01267 676790