Qasim Aftab is an alumni of BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, and graduated in 2024. He recently began a graduate role as a Business Development Representative, and has kickstarted a MedTech start-up from an idea born whilst at Leeds Beckett. In this blog, he talks through his career so far and reflects on his time at University.

Course: BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Why did you choose to study at Leeds Beckett?

Located in the heart of my favourite northern city, Leeds Beckett was the perfect choice for me as a university. With a diverse community spread across two campuses, Beckett was the perfect blend between the city centre bustle and the tradition of a university campus – I knew I’d fit right in.

With a diverse range of modules across the 3-year period, Beckett’s Biomedical Science programme was very competitive when compared to others on offer in the area. A good blend between lab, theory and even non-traditional modules like enterprise, I knew this degree would be a strong foundation for me no matter what route I decided to take after graduation.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you've been doing since you graduated?

Since graduation, I took a much-needed holiday before returning and getting started with graduate entry job applications. A somewhat gruelling process which has thankfully come to an end as I’ve been accepted as a Business Development Manager for a growing cybersecurity company in Leeds.

Alongside this, a big part of my time post-graduation has been focusing on growing my MedTech startup from a concept into a business. With a friend from university, we’ve built on an idea we had as students and continue to work to bring it to market. Taking a startup to market requires all types of work from market research to client acquisition, funding and even building a network. The journey, while demanding, is filled with fun and excitement.

Aside from all the work, I’ve upped my mixed martial arts training and now that I’m not a student anymore, I’ve been able to give more time to my hobby and even focus more on getting out and competing in the UK circuit.

What have been the highlights and challenges of your career so far? 

The highlight of my career so far has been launching my business. Working with a dear friend on a project we’re both extremely passionate about is what makes this process so fun and that’s a big reason why this entire journey has been seamless so far. Overcoming challenges and learning new things has been fruitful and the progression has been fun and exciting.

The greatest challenge in my career so far has been getting my foot in the door. Coming from a Biomedical Science background and applying for roles in business put me at a disadvantage. Going through the rigorous hiring process, dealing with rejections, keeping track of which part of the application process I’m on with which company and constantly trying to act on feedback are all part of this process. Dealing with all of this and then continuing to put in applications (to places you haven’t already applied to) takes some level of dedication and willpower because it is enough to break you down as a graduate who thinks the world is their oyster.

How has your experience studying at Leeds Beckett influenced you and your career?

I could speak about all the incredible alumni services available through Leeds Beckett or the great job the course team did in trying to prepare us for life as a graduate but the greatest influence I’ve felt is being a part of the expansive LBU graduate community. There’s been endless conversations with recruiters, company representatives and even people in industry who have been keen on me simply because we’re both Beckett graduates and can bond over this. This one fact has been an incredible way for me to give a strong first impression as it is a topic myself and the other person can speak about with passion and freedom and this has led me to some great successes.

I didn’t expect the network to be this large and it’s been a great reading “studied at Leeds Beckett” in so many LinkedIn bios. Whether in my job applications or in my journey as a young entrepreneur, this one fact has opened up countless doors and I’m sure it’ll open countless more.

What advice would you give someone thinking about studying this course?

Get stuck in! Over your three years as a Biomedical Science student, you’ll find countless opportunities knocking on your door through your course, societies, the student’s union and many other avenues. It’s your job to keep yourself in the know about what they are and how to take advantage of them! With the constant growth and development of the course and the wider university, new opportunities are available everyday for students to take advantage of to become who they want to be on the other side of their time as an undergraduate.

What's next for you?

For the foreseeable future, I’ll be focusing on settling in and performing well in my new career to ensure I can develop my skills, build a good reputation and ultimately look to progress up the ladder in a timely fashion. My efforts in my business will also continue as I look to build a long-lasting product, with a genuine value proposition, and take this venture far in the marketplace. My time will also be taken up with the gruelling demands of my sport and I look forward to pursuing some serious competition within this space.

In the future, I hope to return to education to complete a masters, further developing my knowledge and preparing myself to be outstanding in a somewhat niche career.