Rajiah Rodien

Events, Venue and Experience Management BA (Hons)

Rajiah always knew she wanted to go to university and build a career in events. Despite facing personal challenges that affected her mental health during her education, she remained determined to achieve her goals. Her time at BCU helped her develop resilience, confidence, and practical industry skills. She now works as an Event Manager, delivering large-scale events and continuing to grow professionally within the industry.

"I have always wanted to go to university. While I was not always sure where I wanted to study, I always knew what I wanted to study. From a young age, I wanted the experience of learning something I was passionate about, being surrounded by like-minded people, and building a strong network.

Throughout my education, I faced significant personal challenges that impacted my mental health during key academic stages. Despite these difficulties, I remained committed to my long-term goal of attending university. When traditional pathways were no longer available to me, I pursued an alternative route through college, where I worked hard to rebuild my confidence, improve my academic performance, and achieve strong results.

My experience of studying at BCU was challenging, but transformative and rewarding. In my first year, I was still struggling with my mental health, but I pushed myself to continue because attending university had always been my dream and a goal I had worked hard to achieve. Taking a year out did not feel like an option for me. At times, I felt lonely and isolated and found it difficult to connect with others.

Rather than focusing solely on fitting in, I decided to channel my energy into my studies. I aimed to excel in my coursework and learn as much as possible about the events industry. I gradually found my footing, built genuine friendships, and gained access to opportunities that only university could offer at that time.

My time at BCU helped me develop resilience and adaptability, skills that are essential in a world where circumstances can change quickly.

Now, I am an Event Manager at Blackberry Events. I absolutely love working there and have grown significantly both professionally and personally during my time in the role. A typical day for me as an Event Manager is fast paced and varied. My role involves planning, coordination, and problem-solving to ensure events are delivered smoothly from start to finish.

On a day-to-day basis, I manage client communications, supplier coordination, and internal team collaboration. and ensuring all event details align with the client’s vision.

During live events, my focus shifts to on-site delivery overseeing setup and troubleshooting in real time. I also review events post-production, and plan for upcoming projects. While the days can be long and unpredictable, the variety and energy of the role are what I enjoy most. It is incredibly rewarding to see an event come together and know I have played a key part in creating a successful experience.

Completing my degree in Events, Venue, and Experience Management during a globally challenging period strengthened my ability to remain focused, adaptable, and resilient under pressure, qualities that have continued to shape my career.

One of the most defining experiences for me was working on the Birmingham Commonwealth Games towards the end of my studies. Being part of a globally recognised event offered invaluable insight into the scale, coordination, and precision required to deliver high-profile productions. This experience deepened my operational knowledge and reinforced my passion for the industry.

Following this, I continued to develop my skills in an events role, where I expanded my technical knowledge, particularly in audio-visual production, enhancing my confidence and helping me grow into a more well-rounded events professional.

A recent highlight in my journey was appearing on ‘The Events Insight’ podcast; Hearing and reflecting on the honest experiences of established industry leaders reinforced the importance of resilience and reminded me that setbacks are a natural part of building a long-term career in events.

My course at BCU provided me with a strong foundation that directly supports my current role as an Event Manager; My course gave me a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end event lifecycle, from concept development and budgeting to logistics, risk management, and on the day delivery, which are skills I use daily in my role.

The course placed a strong emphasis on both practical learning and industry engagement, which helped me develop confidence in working within real world scenarios. Modules focused on live events, operations, and professional practice prepared me to manage multiple stakeholders, work under pressure, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances, which are essential skills in the events industry.

Beyond technical knowledge, BCU helped me develop transferable skills such as communication, leadership, problem solving, and time management. Group projects and live briefs mirrored industry environments and taught me how to collaborate effectively while taking ownership of my responsibilities.

One of the most challenging aspects of embarking on my career in the events industry has been navigating uncertainty and high-pressure environments, particularly early on. The events industry demands adaptability, confidence, and the ability to deliver under tight deadlines.

Building confidence and finding my place in a fast paced, competitive industry was challenging, but I actively sought out opportunities to gain hands-on experience, asked questions, and learned from both successes and setbacks. Over time, exposure to live events and complex projects helped me build confidence in decision-making. Support from mentors, colleagues, and industry networks also played a key role in helping me develop professionally.

My proudest achievement since graduating has been building a career in the events industry and being recognised for my contribution. Being nominated for industry awards has also been incredibly meaningful, as it recognised my growth and commitment to the profession. Looking back, I am proud of how far I have come and the confidence I have gained along the way.

In the long term, I hope to continue growing both professionally and personally while working on larger, more complex events, on an international scale. I see myself progressing into a more senior role within the industry, while also supporting and mentoring emerging talent. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to high impact events and give back to the industry that has shaped my journey.

My advice to fellow BCU graduates starting out their career would be to go after every opportunity; Focus on building your network and connections by joining groups or other young professional organisations, they often run events and job fairs that can help unlock opportunities in the industry. Volunteer wherever you can, reach out to companies and get involved, every bit of experience and connection counts.

For me, ‘I AM BCU’ represents a fresh start. It is where I reinvent myself, and started to grow into a stronger, happier version of myself."