I went traveling after college as I had no idea what I wanted to do with myself long term and it was during this time away I decided to go back to studying.
I went back to academia, and found Leeds Business School as my new home for the next two years. I was excited and started off really well, however I found myself lacking the motivation to sit with my head in a book after the first year, as I did in college, after the initial enthusiasm wore off.
When the opportunity arose for a placement I jumped at the chance, because I knew I would be able to show myself for who I really am. As a student I sometimes struggle to apply myself, but when it comes to work I’m switched on and ready to go every morning, for fear I’ll lose my job and go back to being a poor student!
I started looking for a placement as soon as I could, the only problem was I had found it hard to find a placement that I thought suited me as I didn’t know what part of business I wanted to specialise in. I knew I enjoyed travel and people but didn’t know how I could combine them into a placement. It was just by chance that a friend I had met while traveling asked me if I wanted to work for him over the summer in a hostel he had bought over in Portugal. We talked it over and decided I could use it as my placement so I would get hands on experience of running a small business. Brilliant I get to combine my love of travel and people and improve my C.V.
So that was it, I had my placement sorted and my bags packed for Portugal. I couldn’t wait! However, I was nervous that:
A. I didn’t speak Portuguese
B. the business wasn’t big enough to apply myself as much as in a larger company.
These nerves were quickly dispelled as I was required to look at all aspects of business, and was able to use a lot of what I had learnt in the day to day running of the business, from the accounts, stock control, to the networking with other hostels and marketing of the hostel to improve our customer base.
As for the Portuguese I can order a beer and a meal but nothing that would set the world on fire, however we do start lessons next week and I hope to be fluent for the next season the hostel is open!
I have only been here a month now and I have already been able to apply myself 100% because the business is so small it means I’m an integral member of the team.
I would thoroughly recommend a placement to anybody thinking about it, as it’s a big change to the student lifestyle. I have met a lot of employers who have said that graduates who have known nothing but studying are not as valuable as those with experience as they still run on University time!
As well as the practical side of things it has allowed me to meet a lot of new people and gain skills that you can’t get through a book! I have also eaten a lot of new food and because I’m being paid can afford a lot more luxuries than when I was a student!
Andrew Nowley, 21
BA (Hons) Business IPOS
Leeds Business School
