
Georgia studied Business and Marketing at Manchester Met, graduating in 2022. We caught up with Georgia about travel, volunteering and seizing opportunities.
What did you enjoy most about Manchester Met?
Various aspects of student life, such as forming new connections, making new friends, engaging in academic pursuits, and enjoying the cultural scene in Manchester. My course offered an excellent balance between personal development and creative collaboration. I had the opportunity to attend lectures by guest speakers and participate in interactive workshops. As a student within the Business School, I found the campus building to be the perfect study hub, conveniently located in Manchester and right next to the library!
What did you do after graduation?
After graduating, I embarked on an incredible journey with one of my closest friends that I had actually met during my first week of university. We went backpacking for six months throughout Southeast Asia and Australia. This was something I had always wanted to do – especially after the pandemic – and it was one of the best and most eye-opening experiences of my life.
During Christmas, we volunteered in the Philippines at a social development centre for boys. We had the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated local team and provide a wide range of services and festive activities. Once I came back, I discovered I had a love for volunteering, and since April I have volunteered my time every Wednesday to support the local Girlguiding group.
So…what are you doing now?
I decided to explore a potential career path by taking on a six-week internship as a Business Analyst. However, I soon realised it wasn’t the right fit for me. Determined to pursue something that allowed me to get more involved with my creative side, I secured my first graduate role as a Marketing Executive in August.
How did your course prepare you for your role?
Having had the opportunity to pursue a combined honours degree, I’ve acquired a wide range of adaptable skills that are particularly valuable in my new role. I’ve gained expertise in most marketing principles, including the ability to analyse market trends, identify consumer needs, and develop market strategies. Additionally, I have gained a vast amount of expertise in the core business functions such as finance, accounting, operations, and human resources. Each of the above are great assets to my early career, having had the opportunity to align these with overall business goals and product development, both during and after my degree. As a student I was also able to make the most of the free LinkedIn courses available online, quite beneficial to any job opportunities that come your way.
Aside from my professional development, I have also had the chance to adapt my interpersonal skills. In particular, engaging in the critical thinking aspect of my course developed my problem-solving skills. These skills were significantly strengthened through group work and presentation activities. Problem-solving skills, essential for crafting effective market strategies and making data-driven decisions in fast-paced environments, have also been a key focus of my career. This is particularly valuable when creating new marketing campaigns and analysing markets to optimise campaigns.
I’ve also gained a substantial understanding of digital marketing, a critical asset in today’s technology-driven marketing landscape, extremely useful in an industry where trends and technologies evolve rapidly.
What advice would you give to current students?
If I were still a student, I’d recommend staying organised. Keep some sort of diary to manage your coursework, assignments, and deadlines. That way, you won’t miss any deadlines. It’s also a good idea to discuss these with your course mates in case you miss any! Create a budget for your finances too, and potentially consider part-time work. You could possibly consider something course-related – equally as good to add to the CV.
Secondly, try not to miss your 9am lectures and seminars; most of these are important, especially for understanding the material and building a good relationship with lecturers, which can be beneficial for future recommendations and assistance. Always try to participate in class discussions too, ask questions, and seek clarification when needed – don’t hesitate to ask for help. Active engagement can enhance your learning experience, but so can taking the time out to have a social life! There are so many great clubs to join; it’s a great idea to meet people with similar interests, and to maintain a substantial work-life balance, essential for your overall well-being.
I’d also recommend thinking about your post-graduation plans early. Will this be something career-related? Perhaps research different career opportunities, internships, and potential graduate programs if applicable. It is also very important to embrace failure! It’s a great way to understand your weaknesses, setbacks, and failures, which are just a part of the learning process and present huge growth opportunities.
Lastly, adapt these suggestions to your own individual needs, take the time to enjoy your experience, and make the most of the opportunities it offers.
