Learning at Work
Learning at work week
I am a student at the University of Gloucester studying business management. I chose this degree because I?ve always had a keen interest in everything business and being perfectly honest, money. It is something I think I will always chase and of course I hope I obtain a copious amount of. I believe I chose quite a broad degree because, although I know I want money, I have no idea how I want to make it and what I want to do in my future career. I believe that this affliction is present in many of my fellow business management students as well, as it?s such an expansive and at times ambiguous degree. Those doing marketing management or finance and accounting etc. all made a decision that their specific area of expertise is what they want to do with their life. Me on the other hand I decided to go broad and not rule out any possibilities, probably because you can make money off anything in any sector, so why close any off? Also I don?t specifically know what my expertise are yet. Of course I have done better in some areas of my degree as opposed to others but until you get out into the real world of work and test your metal you never really know what you will be good at on a professional level. It is one thing writing 3000 words on how customers behave and how to target marketing towards them, it?s another thing entirely doing it.
My University, like many, push their students to do a sandwich degree. It?s not as delicious as it sounds however, it just means that between your second and third year you go out and do a year in industry. Uni?s now push for students to undergo these placement because they understand that a university degree is no longer enough to secure a job, a candidate will have to have valid useful experience in order to be successful. Even when getting a placement you have to have a base level of experience to get a foot in the door of any large corporation. Unless of course you know someone or have a parent that can get you in. Having experience is now the be all and end all when looking for work. This has meant that for the most part people have to start from the bottom and work their way up, something a degree was meant to help stop.
This is why I chose to undertake a yearlong placement at Class People. My Placement has allowed me to not only earn money whilst at university but it has also meant that I will come out with a year?s worth of amazing experience that will not only look good on my CV but has also given me my first experience of office work. I have enjoyed this time getting to understand the world of work more and I will definitely come away with a better understanding of everything I have learnt so far at university. Not to say that I won?t be glad to get back to my university student way of life, one of the most chilled lifestyles going, but this time has been so valuable I would recommend a placement to anyone. On top of this my placement has given me a completely new work ethic meaning that when I return to university it should be easier for me to excel. It has also allowed me to realise an enjoyment for marketing, something I am keen to continue when I return to study.