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The respondent to this survey is Poonam who is from a Indian background.
| What qualifications did you hold prior to starting university? | 3 A-levels (BBB) and 10 GCSEs - A* to B |
| What was the name of your course? | BA Hons Business Studies |
| While at university have you worked part-time? | Yes |
| While at university have you performed any voluntary work? | Yes |
| While at university have you undertake any work experience? | No |
| Please give details of your experience? | I worked at Ant Marketing Call Centre in Broomhill, Sky Digital in Ecclesfield and then Ice Bar.
Volunteer work - President of Finance and External Relations for AIESEC (society) |
| How useful did you find this work experience when it came to find a job after graduating? | AIESEC was most useful, as it showed leadership skills, all my part time employment showed communication skills and where appropriate, office skills. |
| What is your status? | In full or part time employment |
| What is your job title? | Marketing Executive - Merchandising & Promotions |
| What responsibilities do you hold? | Account management, sales promotions, market research, report writing, rate analysis, national press advertising, reader offers, food & beverage leader etc |
| What do you enjoy the most about this job? | Report and analysis, networking, opportunity to grow (done 2 CIM courses). Started as Marketing Administrator and have been promoted twice in my 2 years there. |
| What do you enjoy the least? | customer complaints! |
| What was involved in the recruitment process for this job? | CV, 2 interviews, role plays |
| Do you feel you have a career plan? | Yes |
| If so, how does your current situation fit into this plan? | After 2 years, I now wish to get out of the service industry and follow the analysis of consumer / F&B research. CHE have given me opportunity to grow, but now time to move on. |
| When did you start thinking about what you wanted to do after graduation? Thinking back did you leave enough time for this? | Since 2nd year! I knew Marketing was what I wanted to do. I really wanted to get into the consumer sector as opposed to service, but graduate schemes are very hard and elitist. |
| Did you experience any difficulties when it came to finding work after graduation? If yes, please describe some of the problems you faced? | Graduate schemes - At uni you're told you're the best and that you will be on minimum £20K, but when you leave, this is not the case! You have no proper training on interviewing, on how to perform in assessment centres. EVERYONE wants experience but how are you meant to get it, when you've spent 3 years learning to get a 1st! |
| What do you wish you had known before you started applying for jobs? | I wish I knew HOW important it is to have extra circular activities and jobs. I was lucky, but lots weren't! |
| What advice would you give to someone applying for jobs now? | Get a part time office job to put it on your CV, see if Careers Service will help you with interview skills. (For business students - Shell Summer Scheme is good starter). Ask your lecturers for more presentation skills (NOT group work - individual). DO NOT rely on graduate schemes, as you will be left demotivated if you don't get one. See what else is out there. |
| Would you have done anything differently while at university to prepare for your career? Please give details. | I wish I stuck at my dual hons degree - Business Studies & Economics, as now my career is becoming more analytical, having Economics -helps with future jobs! |
| How do you feel your degree has prepared you for today's labour market? | My degree has helped a lot with group work and team building and the subject as a whole. However, I do think, in hindsight, that there were more individual presentations to be done. Although daunting, it sets you up for the real world! |
| What impact did your course have on your career aspirations? | Affirmed job choice |
| Did you make use of the careers service at university? | Yes |
| If yes, please describe how you used the careers service. | The reference job directories, part time vacancy boards, leaflets. |
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