Daniel was an innovative intern

Enterprising University of Teesside graduate Daniel Tozer managed to combine the unlikely partnership of a part-time tiling business with a law degree.

The 21-year-old from Folkestone, Kent, ran his business Daniel Tozer Tiling while studying for the LLB (Hons) degree, combining tiling with study by working in the Tees Valley in term time and Kent during the holidays. When he receives his law degree today, Daniel will also receive the Sweet and Maxwell Prize and the Endeavour Partnership Prize.

Daniel is now on the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at College of Law in Bloomsbury, London. He will follow the one-year course with a training contract in order to become a fully qualified solicitor.

He put his tiling business on hold during the final year of university, but returned to it this summer and depending on the workload of the LPC, he is considering a return to weekend jobs during next year.

Daniel was one of the University’s first set of Enterprise Interns. The two-year project, funded by the Learning and Skills Council, encourages students to sign up as Interns.

They receive a bursary, paid in instalments throughout the year, to promote enterprising activities to their fellow students. Each of the University’s six academic Schools has its own Intern.

Daniel signed up after seeing the project advertised in the Students’ Union Job Centre. He said, “I liked the fact that it was totally new and had never been done by the University before. A lot of businesses and employers are looking for commercial awareness in graduates and being involved in enterprise can help you build that awareness.

“The Interns set up their own Enterprise Society to inspire others and we hope it will become a permanent feature of the Students’ Union’s societies in years to come.”

Daniel said he chose Teesside as he wanted to move to the North-East. He said, “I enjoyed living in Middlesbrough, it has lots to offer.

“I enjoyed my course and the lecturers were always willing to help. I enjoyed the social aspects of university, the student's union is a great place to spend an evening. Cheap drinks and friendly atmosphere.”

He added, “The social aspect of university life is good, there’s always lots of people out in the Students’ Union and the beer is much cheaper than down south! All round, it was a good move!”

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