Lincoln International Business School (LIBS) master’s students have an opportunity to experience a one-year work placement as part of the two-year programme. Peter, who is studying MSc Management with Project Management with Professional Practice, is using this chance to the full to add a year of UK managerial experience to his CV.
Jan Tunley, LIBS Postgraduate Employability Officer, visited Peter on location at the TRZ Care Agency in Nottingham, to ensure that he was enjoying the placement, was fully supported, and progressing well.
TRZ has a history of taking interns, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, but had never had a management placement student before. At interview, Peter explained the master’s placement fully and negotiated with his manager, Cynthia, the creation of a new management internship. Peter talked about his transferable skills, from his previous experience in project management as a lead engineer in Nigeria.
Peter manages a geographical area of the business entirely himself, coordinating many staff, complex rotas and all management issues. Peter is excited about the chance to learn as much as possible about how things are done in the UK. Peter said that the biggest culture shock was the amount of documentation required, learning the different formats for reports and proposals, recording interventions and activities, etc.
Peter’s manager is very supportive, open to ideas and always encouraging. His main aims for the placement, which are already being realised, are how to be an effective people manager and decision maker, and how to evaluate situations and ideas in the context of a UK business.
Peter advises students seeking placements to not only focus on large corporations. He explained how, in a smaller company, he is given a great deal of responsibility plus the chance to flex his managerial skills and try out new ideas. Peter can also access the time and attention of the most senior company manager, for whom he works directly. He believes this sort of exposure at the strategic level of the business is invaluable. Peter states that working in such a responsible role, with targets to meet and lots of people to manage, has given him great confidence.
For further information on our Master’s Placement Years, or to communicate with our Employability Team, please get in touch with PG-LIBSEmployability.ac.uk.
