I spent my placement year in the Foreign Commercial Service in the US embassy in Copenhagen, which helps build trading links between American businesses and Danish markets. I worked there full-time for 11 months, and was expected to perform as a full-fledged member of the team from day one, even having responsibility for delivering my own projects.
Actually working in the areas I had been studying for my BSc in international business gave me a unique insight into how commerce works – it wasn’t just theory any more. I also learned how to interact with people professionally, and even had the chance to network with senior business people at embassy events. I worked very hard all year, because I didn’t want to waste the opportunity – the more you put in, the more you get out.
The resources at Sussex were invaluable while I was researching placement opportunities during my second year; the placement team in my school helped me perfect my CV and also advised me on applying for an Erasmus grant to help fund my living costs during my year away.
Now I’m back at Sussex for my final year and I feel focused and confident about my career path – I’m going to make this year count. My ambition is to work in one of the East Asian markets, so I’m aiming to get another placement working for the Danish Trade Council in China right after I graduate.
Placements: what employers think
Graeme Butler is a talent acquisition specialist with Enterprise Rent-A-Car
“We have developed a strong partnership with the University of Sussex over a number of years, enabling students to join us on a placement and spend up to 12 months working for us as part of their degree. Placement students have the opportunity to learn skills like communication, leadership, work ethic and flexibility, as well as gaining sound business acumen.
“Students are looking for real responsibility on their placement; they have the opportunity to be promoted while they’re with us, which then gives them a fast track to a management position at Enterprise when they graduate. The quality of applications we receive from the University of Sussex puts them as one of our top sources of talent – clearly Sussex students are prepared for the challenging and busy workplace.”
About Sussex Choice placements
Many subject areas at Sussex offer the chance to spend a paid year working in business, gaining valuable experience of the working world. We will help you find a placement, and then prepare you for it on our placement training programme. Companies our students are currently on placements with include L’Oréal, American Express, Virgin, GSK and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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