Alumni Stories

Hello everyone,

I’m Argest Nela, and I feel so privileged to earn my degree and be called an LSME graduate.

When I first came to LSME, my only ambition was football. I wanted to become a professional footballer, and that was my entire focus. But through the LSME and Barking Football Academy partnership, I learned something important: sometimes you need more than one plan.

As a care leaver, I’ve had to become independent and think seriously about my future from a young age. LSME gave me the opportunity to build something alongside football and, today, I’m proud to be graduating in Business Management.

My time here has taught me much more than what I learned in the classroom. Football taught me teamwork and discipline, while LSME helped me develop confidence, leadership and skills that I can take into my career.

Now I’m looking forward to the next chapter – working, gaining experience and hopefully moving into management.

To my fellow graduates, we may not know exactly where life will take us, but we’ve already proved that we can get here.

So let’s be proud of what we’ve achieved, believe in ourselves, and keep moving forward.

Congratulations everyone, and thank you, LSME.

In 2024, I began my journey at the London School of Management Education (LSME), enrolling in the Diploma in Education and Training (DET). From the beginning, I found a welcoming and supportive community that strengthened my passion for education.

During the programme, I developed teaching in health and safety for the construction industry and worked closely with my placement to ensure that my lessons connected theory with real-world practice. Designing schemes of work and lesson plans challenged me to think carefully about how learning could prepare students for their future careers.

In 2025, I progressed to the Master of Education and became more involved in the LSME community through volunteering. This experience broadened my understanding of education and reinforced the importance of continuing professional development. Participating in webinars and seminars also strengthened my belief that learning should continue throughout our professional lives.

One of the proudest moments of my journey was being recognised as Student of the Year. This achievement reflected the commitment and hard work I had invested in my studies, as well as the encouragement I received from my lecturers, mentors and peers.

My experience at LSME has strengthened my confidence, knowledge and commitment to education. As I move forward, I hope to continue developing as an educator, support others in achieving their potential, and use what I have learned to make a positive contribution to education.

For me, graduation is not the end of learning, but the beginning of the next chapter.

My journey at the London School of Management Education has been one of the most important and meaningful experiences of my life. Completing my BSc (Hons) in Health & Social Care Management is not only an academic achievement for me; it represents personal growth, resilience, confidence and the support I received from the wonderful people at LSME.

During my four years at LSME, I had the privilege of serving as a **Student Representative**, where I held the responsibility of representing and sharing the student voice. This role gave me the opportunity to listen to other students, communicate their views and concerns, work with staff, and contribute to improving the student experience. It helped me develop my communication, leadership, confidence and interpersonal skills.

I was also proud to serve as an **Access and Participation Lead Ambassador**. This was a valuable experience that helped me grow both professionally and personally. It encouraged me to become more confident, take responsibility, support others and step outside my comfort zone. The experiences I gained through these roles have had a lasting impact on the person I have become.

My university journey was not always easy. There was a particularly difficult period in my personal life while I was studying, and there were times when I found things emotionally challenging. However, my lecturers and staff at LSME were incredibly supportive, understanding and encouraging. They did not simply see me as a student; they supported me as a person. They provided guidance and welfare support when I needed it and encouraged me to keep going and not give up on my education. Their kindness and belief in me made a huge difference during a difficult time in my life, and I will always be grateful for that support.

Studying BSc (Hons) Health & Social Care Management also opened the door to my career in healthcare. The knowledge and skills I gained through my degree helped me secure a job in a care home, where I was able to put my learning into practice and gain valuable practical experience. I am now very proud to have progressed further and secured an opportunity to work within the NHS.

When I look back at my journey, I can honestly say that LSME has played a major role in helping me reach where I am today. My degree gave me knowledge and professional direction; my roles as a Student Representative and Access and Participation Lead Ambassador gave me confidence and leadership skills; and the support from my lecturers helped me continue when life became difficult.

I would like to sincerely thank all my lecturers, tutors and staff at LSME for believing in me, encouraging me and supporting me throughout my four years. I am especially grateful to those who supported me during my most challenging moments and reminded me that I was capable of achieving my goals.

Graduation is not the end of my journey; it is the beginning of a new chapter. I hope to continue developing my career within the healthcare sector, grow professionally, and use the knowledge, experience and values I have gained to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

I am extremely proud to be an LSME graduate. When I look back, I will remember not only the degree I achieved, but also the people, experiences, friendships, responsibilities and support that shaped me along the way.

Thank you, LSME, for believing in me, supporting me and being such an important part of my journey.

I joined LSME in January 2019 as a BSc (Hons) Business Management student. Initially, I chose Business Management because I owned a small business and wanted to enhance my skills. However, after joining LSME and experiencing the dedication and hard work of the teachers, my passion for teaching was reignited. Following my BSc, I decided to pursue a Diploma in Education and Training (DET), and then continued with a Master of Education (MEd).

My five-year journey at LSME was far from easy. I returned to education after 20 years and felt lost at the beginning, but with the support of Dr Sarita and my teachers, I soon found my footing. Juggling studies, the responsibility of raising three children, managing a small business, and running a household was challenging. Many nights, I found myself standing in the kitchen working on cakes while listening to eBooks to keep up with assignments.

I was also part of a Cohort that had to navigate the challenges of Covid-19. As someone who thrived in a classroom environment, the transition to home learning was difficult. Nevertheless, the encouragement from LSME’s teachers kept me going. During my time at LSME, I had the privilege of serving as a class representative twice, which helped me develop valuable leadership skills.

During my MEd, I had the opportunity to participate in a mentoring project for care leavers, which LSME organised in collaboration with Imperial College and Coventry University. I am immensely grateful for this experience. Throughout my studies, I received multiple awards, culminating in the Student of the Year 2024 award, a recognition I am incredibly proud of. I am deeply thankful to my teachers and everyone at LSME who supported me in this achievement.

My education at LSME has impacted me in two significant ways. My Business Administration degree helped me improve and expand my small business, encouraging my entrepreneurial spirit. Meanwhile, my DET and MEd qualifications fuelled my passion for teaching, inspiring me to share the knowledge I gained. My time at LSME allowed me to develop invaluable skills in entrepreneurship, communication, presentation, and problem-solving, among others.

I also cherish the events and celebrations organised by LSME, which created beautiful memories that I will carry with me for life. I made lifelong friends who will always be a part of my journey. I am incredibly thankful to God, my family, and everyone at LSME for supporting me throughout my studies. A special thank you to my triplets, who were my greatest support system. They were the wind beneath my wings, helping me soar and achieve.

In conclusion, 25 years ago, after completing my studies, I never imagined I would return to education. But life led me back to LSME, and it proved to me that “it’s never too late to start again.”

“Dreams are the seeds of reality, the seeds of the future. The dreams we nurture today can indeed manifest into the realities of tomorrow”. The story I wish to share with you bears witness to this very message.

Upon my initial arrival in the UK, I recognised the necessity for a significant transformation in my life, and I was resolute in my commitment to work diligently toward my dreams. My professional journey commenced as a care assistant in a complex needs care home. With the passage of time, I came to realise that I possessed the capacity for more. After gaining valuable experience, I made the decision to enrol at LSME to pursue a BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Management.

Although the journey was far from easy, my determination to succeed remained unwavering. Studying in a language foreign to my own was in itself a formidable challenge, but the instructors were exceptionally supportive. They not only recognised my potential but also offered guidance that exceeded my expectations. Balancing the demands of work and studies was no small feat, yet I persevered. My dedication resulted in a promotion to the role of a senior carer, and, after months of unwavering commitment and hard work, I achieved another promotion to the position of a care coordinator. These milestones reinforced my confidence in the path I had chosen.

It is important to acknowledge that my journey to success was not solely due to my own hard work. I was fortunate to be surrounded by exceptional individuals, both in my workplace and at school, who supported and encouraged me in the pursuit of my dream. I am deeply grateful to each one of them, and I will never forget their contributions to my achievements.

Before my graduation, I took the initiative to establish my own company in the Health and Social Care sector. One of my lecturers encouraged me to continue my progress, leading me to enrol again in 2022 to pursue a Diploma in Teaching and Training (DET). I graduated just a few months ago in 2023, and as I look back, I see the challenges and sacrifices I endured. However, I also see the fantastic lecturers who cheered me on, provided unwavering support, and invested considerable effort in making my dream a reality. I cannot thank them enough, and I want them to know that their contributions will forever be remembered.

Today, I proudly serve as the deputy manager at the very same complex needs care home where my journey began. In the future, I have aspirations to establish my own training centre. My dream has indeed become a reality, and every single step, despite its challenges, has been undeniably worthwhile.”

My pursuit of a university education was driven by a deep desire for self-development and a promise I made to my parents to earn a degree. I also wanted to show my children that it is never too late to chase your dreams, no matter the challenges. As I was waiting for the right time and opportunity to make this dream a reality, the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Despite the uncertainties, I decided to take the plunge and enrolled at LSME for a BSc (Hons) in Business Management.

I knew from the outset that the journey would be tough. Balancing work, family life, and now studies was going to be a challenge, but my determination to succeed was stronger than any obstacle. Starting this journey in the midst of a global pandemic made things even more complex. We began with online learning via Zoom which came with its own set of challenges and limitations, especially compared to in-class learning. Yet, despite these hurdles, I remained unwavering in my pursuit of excellence.

Thanks to the incredible support from the dedicated lecturers and staff at LSME, I was able to accomplish every task and assignment while I was attending virtual lectures. Alongside this, I built strong bonds with my fellow students, which became a source of encouragement. The friendships we formed helped us collaborate effectively during group assignments, and our team study sessions were invaluable in navigating the challenges of online learning.

The classes were both instructive and challenging, yet thoroughly enjoyable. The courses I undertook provided me with a wealth of knowledge that will serve me well as I navigate the corporate world or whichever career path I choose to follow. My experience at LSME has made me feel equipped for whatever the future holds, both professionally and personally.

This journey has been an incredible experience, and I am proud to have graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Business Management. To anyone with a dream, I offer this advice: it’s never too late to achieve your goals. Keep pushing, and success will surely follow.

Thank you all once again, and may God bless and reward you all.