"The university as a whole do a terrific job of making individuals realise their potential and succeed"

"At the start of the year, I was feeling a bit disillusioned. I knew I was enjoying my course, and I felt content with that. What I didn’t feel content with was my future. I realised how quickly my first year went, and I knew I needed to start to think about the future. I remember being in one of my first lectures of the year and this is the first time I met Gavin (Faculty Student Experience Advisor - Employability Lead). He came in and gave a very interesting and enthusiastic talk about work placements. A placement had never even crossed my mind until then but after that talk I started to tentatively pursue the idea. I met Gavin and I spoke to my personal tutor. After all of this talking, I decided to take the leap of faith and apply to placements. 

I found a lot of failure throughout the year, this is something I am not afraid to admit. I did get invited to a dream workshop day with Porsche and reached the top 5 of this, but again to no avail, I fell short at that final hurdle again. 

A couple of weeks ago, a role that I had previously been interviewed for and narrowly missed out on, reached out to me and offered me the position. It is down in Goodwood, so a huge change in scenery from Sheffield, and far from home and friends. But, after a lot of consulting and talking I took the leap and accepted. 

I am delighted to say that from July this year, I will be undertaking a year-long placement with Rolls Royce Motor Cars down in Goodwood. I will be working in their Material Control Logistics Department - something very different from my degree, but it showcases what roles an A&H degree can achieve. 

I am super proud, excited, and terrified but Gavin and the university as a whole do a terrific job of making individuals realise their potential and succeed, even when they have a lot of doubt."