The Media School at Bournemouth University is over 30 years old and in that time it has established high profile connections within the industry from its many successful alumni and other contacts. Although a proactive approach is always vital when seeking a placement, BU can more than help students find one that suits their needs.

The placement scheme at Bournemouth offers students the opportunity to develop their skills in the industry across the globe. Over the years CMC students have undertaken placements in New York, Barcelona and Toronto, to name but a few. Currently half way through his year, Marketing student Josh Muschamp, describes his experience of travelling Europe while on placement at Samsung.

“My placement is going very well, every day is different, I have been told numerous times that it’s not possible to get bored with working for Samsung” the marketing student says, “I have come to understand that working with and for Koreans is very different to working within the western culture. Everything is “palli palli” (quick quick) and needs doing yesterday but it has been a complete change of routine and has been very different from my expectations”.

Josh has been impressing his colleagues at Samsung and has found his responsibility continues to grow throughout his placement, “I am actively involved in the world’s largest energy exhibition, Mostra Convegno Exhibition 2012, including event management and designing our stand at the event and it makes me proud to see certain suggestions I have made put into the designs for the stand”.

Not content with numerous trips to Milan, Josh explains where else his placement has and will be taking him, “I have visited Paris to discuss this year’s strategy and I am due to visit Vienna for sales meetings with direct customers”, and there is more “I also took part in the production of a reference film in Budapest, which involved travelling to Budapest to take part in filming and ensuring that the scenes and shots were communicating the correct messages.”

As well as the glamorous lifestyle travelling across Europe brings, Josh’s placement has also developed his skills and expertise significantly: “My placement has improved my skills in several ways, it has certainly improved my communicating across Europe and my understanding that subjects need to be approached differently in different countries. My work ethic, ability to work under pressure and time-keeping abilities have ultimately improved as well.”

Josh’s placement demonstrates the great placement opportunities CMC students have at Bournemouth University, and how the world is their oyster.

-Will Cook