Herts graduates supporting the next generation
'Work experience is invaluable in helping students and graduates with their next career steps.'
Heraldas Gaspariunas (pictured above) is a Herts BA (Hons) International Business graduate and the Chief Operating Officer for an innovative MedTech start-up, Reneural (formerly CardioCrown). Reneural is looking to transform neuro rehabilitation through the use of virtual reality, and with this ambitious goal, there are opportunities for young professionals to gain valuable experience.
'It's challenging as a student or recent graduate to determine precisely where you want to take your career, but working for an organisation can give you an insight into various roles and industries', Heraldas explains.
'This is what helped me. I had the opportunity to work with the German tech company FlixBus whilst I was a student, and upon graduating, my first internship was with a start-up supported by the University of Hertfordshire. These experiences helped me get to where I am today.'
Lowering the ladder
Heraldas understands the importance of giving current students and recent graduates the same opportunities he had, and he has been able to do that with Reneural.
'We have had the pleasure of supporting several students and graduates, and in return, we've benefited from their creative minds and the fresh prospectives they offer.
'As a graduate of the University's International Business programme, I'm well aware of Herts students and graduates' drive and entrepreneurial spirit, and my co-founder and I are always eager to support their growth wherever possible.'
One such graduate is Maria Marco (pictured below). She began her internship with Reneural in January 2023 whilst a third-year student at Hertfordshire Business School and describes it as an 'enriching experience'.
'Working for a start-up, I was exposed to a fast-paced and dynamic environment where every team member's contribution is vital to the company's growth', explains Maria.
'I conducted market research, analysed competitors and built comprehensive reports for Reneural. I was also encouraged to share my ideas and feed into Reneural's brand strategy, which was both challenging and exciting.
'My internship with Reneural gave me a deeper understanding of how businesses, particularly start-ups, work. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity and know the skills I learnt will serve me well in my career.'
New ideas
Aurora Mafé (pictured below) spent six months with Reneural as an intern in the third year of her BA (Hons) International Business degree. As an international student from Spain, Aurora saw the internship as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a company outside her home country and a deeper understanding of how businesses work overseas.
'The role with Reneural is exactly what I wanted,' says Aurora. 'It focused on business development, and the company showed an interest in my professional development from the start.
'Under the guidance of Victor Harabari (Founder and CEO of Reneural) and Heraldas, I was encouraged to explore how different aspects of the business worked - including HR, marketing and product development.
'One of the best experiences at Reneural was participating in high-level planning meetings, where I contributed my ideas and influenced the company's direction. I also enjoyed working with the software engineer to develop Reneural's virtual reality therapies for stroke survivors. We did this by listening to feedback from the hospitals and patients we're working with to create more engaging therapeutic exercises.
'My internship with Reneural has given me a solid foundation for my career. It gave me confidence in my abilities and improved my English speaking significantly. I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity!'
What's next for Reneural
Reneural is now in the final stages of launching NeuroVive-VR, a suite of digital therapy programmes for stroke survivors which provides safe and tailored experiences. NeuroVive-VR supports patients across the entire clinical pathway, extending into long-term care at home.
In November 2024, Reneural secured £200,000 from a pre-seed funding round led by SFC Capital, with an additional £275,000 in support from Innovate UK.
Heraldas says, 'Our mission is to ensure that patients receive the care they deserve while reducing strain on clinicians to support them in delivering the highest standard of care.'
Heraldas adds that Reneural remains committed to supporting Herts students and graduates wherever possible. Herts students and graduates who completed their course within the last four years can find internship and placement opportunities on Handshake or seek support from the University’s dedicated careers service.
If you run a business looking to employ Herts students and graduates, including for placement or internship opportunities, email our Careers and Employment Service.