Hi-Tech success
Picture caption: (L-R) Emma Denny, Glen Mann, Kirsten Grimshaw
Fri, 07 Mar 2014 10:23:00 GMT
Finding a placement is currently top of the agenda for second year students wanting to spend a year in industry in their third year. Three Huddersfield marketing students can sit back and relax now though, as they have already found what they were looking for.
Having gone through interviews and assessment centres they will be heading off to work for technology brands Intel, HP and O2 in the UK and Germany.
Marketer Glen Mann heard that he had got his dream job when he was on his way to a placement interview with a UK car manufacturer. “I was quite lucky in that I got the first job I applied for” said Glen who was offered a European Marketing & Events role with Intel based in Swindon. “It will give me the chance to gain in an insight into that type of company. The whole work environment was different to what I was expecting, more laidback and informal. And I’ll hopefully get some new contacts that will help me in the future”.
Kirsten Grimshaw will be spending her year with UK telecoms company O2 in the Direct Response team based in London and Slough. Kirsten is looking forward to working on consumer-facing product campaigns; “For part of the week I’ll be in London working with creative agencies putting together graphics for campaigns including TV. It’s quite a large team of 16 with a high budget.” Kirsten describes the tough application process that whittled down over 5000 applications for just 3 positions: “The process started with an online CV and application form followed by an aptitude test, an e-mail task and video interview. This was before the assessment centre, where I took part in a group activity with 12 other people, looking at budget strategy. This was followed by a 15 minute interview & presentation. “
An opportunity with Hewlett Packard (HP) means that Emma Denny will not only be working for a global organisation, but she will also benefit from the experience of working at the German subsidiary. “I’ll be working as a Marketing Campaigns intern with HP in Bobingen Stuttgart,” said Emma. “I’ll be working on TV advertising campaigns, email marketing, as well as exhibitions and promotional events. It’s mostly B2B marketing and I’m excited to move abroad”. Emma described how she plans to take German language classes in the evening and is looking forward to the chance to travel and see another part of the world.
A year in industry allows students to apply theory and develop their transferrable skills as well as building their network to help them find graduate jobs. Students who have completed placements are also more likely to achieve a higher salary in their first graduate job.
The secret to securing a high-profile placement? “Confidence is a big thing and if you can demonstrate teamwork with other people at the assessment centres you’ll do well” claims Kirsten. “Demonstrate some experience and persevere – there are enough opportunities for everyone and be open minded and apply for a broad spectrum of roles”, added Glen.
