This is a guest blog by Gemma Griffin, a BA (Hons) Business Studies graduate.

I completed my work placement at IBM on London’s South Bank, working in the Product Marketing team. As part of my role, I helped to implement
marketing strategies from our worldwide team into the UK & Ireland team, developing training initiatives to improve collaboration between our
14 different marketing teams. My main achievement was probably being the co-owner of an entire zone at the Watson Summit, where there were a record-breaking 1,200 registrants and over 750 client attendees. I was the only placement student to work on a real strategic level at this event. The zone I co-owned generated real client leads and revenue. I think that my time at BU has prepared me well for a career – I certainly found that when I encountered other placement students, my experiences at university had been more practical than theirs. Conducting business appraisals, for example – I found it an extension of skills I already possessed while others found themselves taking a total step into the unknown. While I was on placement at IBM, I was put forward for interview for the role of a next generation business consultant with the company. I was successful, and secured a graduate position before returning to BU for my final year. Knowing that I have the first step in my career already in place for when I finish my degree is a really good feeling.

If you have any questions about placements, please leave any comments of questions below.

This course is now called BA (Hons) Business and Management.