Rachel Dickson

After joining Aldi’s Area Manager Graduate Scheme in 2019, Rachel Dickson quickly built a successful retail management career. But alongside her professional progression, she had a growing ambition to deepen her understanding of sustainability – a passion that eventually led her to Bournemouth University’s online MSc Green Economy course.

Today, Rachel is a National Buying Manager at Aldi, where she hopes to combine commercial decision-making with a sustainability-focused approach.

Choosing BU

Rachel was looking for a postgraduate course that would allow her to continue working full-time while pursuing her academic goals.

“I researched several postgraduate degrees, but the 100% online course offered by BU stood out as being flexible enough for me to work around my job and life,” she says. “The course modules looked so interesting too, and I knew it would make those late-night studies worth it.”

Studying Green Economy was a natural choice, allowing Rachel to explore a subject she was passionate about while gaining knowledge she could apply directly in the workplace.

“I knew the course would give me practical application to the corporate environment I was working in too.”

A flexible and rewarding learning experience

For Rachel, one of the biggest advantages of studying at BU was the ability to complete her degree entirely online while balancing a demanding career.

She said: “I loved how the modules were set out, and that everything was fully online. I wouldn’t have been able to do a Master’s if it wasn’t for BU, and it’s now one of my proudest achievements.”

Although she studied remotely, Rachel still felt connected to the university community.

She said: “I loved that I could still use all the facilities too if I wanted to come into the university.”

She also credits the support she received from the academic team as a key part of her success. “My course leader was amazing and so helpful, especially in the lead-up to my dissertation submission.”

Building a career in sustainability

While studying at BU, Rachel’s career took an exciting turn into sustainability. She spent almost two years as a Sustainability Manager at Aldi, where she was responsible for food waste and non-recyclable waste management.

“My foundations from my postgraduate degree were absolutely essential for that role,” she explains.

Rachel worked closely with charity donation partners, managed waste service provider contracts, and played a key role in delivering Aldi’s food waste reduction targets.

The practical knowledge and broader understanding of sustainability developed through her studies enabled her to make meaningful contributions in a complex corporate environment.

A new challenge

Rachel has recently moved into a new position as National Buying Manager, giving her influence over the products stocked by one of the UK’s leading retailers.

“I’m still really new, but now I’ve got influence over what goes into products,” she says. “And I’m hoping to have a sustainability twist on that too.”

The move represents another step in a career that has combined leadership, commercial expertise and a commitment to sustainable business practices.

Advice for future students

For anyone considering postgraduate study alongside a career, Rachel’s advice is simple:

“If you’re considering it, then go for it! You need to be organised above all, especially if you’re working alongside your studies, but it is definitely achievable. Most importantly, you’ll feel a sense of achievement like no other afterwards.”