Student Life Last updated 01 December 2016
At our Business School, we enjoy hearing about the success of students who have recently completed their work placements.
Christopher Cocksedge returned to the University in September to complete the final year of his undergraduate BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance degree, following a successful 12-month placement with car company Volkswagen, where he gained experience working as a Risk Reporting Coordinator.
Christopher said:
“I undertook a placement year because I thought it would enhance my employability prospects after I graduate. Potential employers will look at my CV and see that I have already completed a year’s experience in a job role relating to my degree, which will stand me in good stead when I graduate.”
Discussing the benefits of his placement, he added: “Volkswagen had an employee car scheme, which was also available to undergraduates. So on my first day, I went to collect a brand-new Volkswagen Polo, which I drove around as my car for just under six months. For the remaining six months of my placement, I was driving a new Audi A3, which I was able to order and customise to my liking. The market value of the car after I’d made the changes to it was over £26,000! To be driving a car like that at the age of 20 was surreal!
“My placement helped me to build my professional development, whilst helping me to prepare mentally for my final year at university.”